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Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 19th century CE. Finely delineated in egg tempera and gold leaf atop gesso on wood, an icon depicting the miracle-working St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the most widely-revered saint in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, flanked by apparitions of Christ and the Theotokos (Mother of God). Believed to possess special powers to protect the faithful, the archetypal Bishop and Saint is dressed in sumptuous episcopal vestments, with a cross-adorned omophorion, giving benediction with his right hand, and holding the Holy Gospel in his left. The attention to detail on Nicholas’ vestments is quite impressive, with each pleat and thread given the same attention as his beard hairs or facial wrinkles. Size: 10.125″ W x 12.125″ H (25.7 cm x 30.8 cm).
Nicholas, a Greek bishop of Myra, Anatolia in the 4th century and one of the most beloved saints of the church, who served as an intercessor, performing miracles of healing and rescue, has an interesting history. A strong opponent of the heretical bishop Arius at the Council of Nicaea, Nicholas, after slapping Arius in the face, was denied his holy insignia and tossed in jail. However, Christ and the Virgin appeared to him and gave him back his freedom and his episcopal office. Here shown with a serious countenance, a high furrowed forehead, concentrating eyes framed by arched brows, and a short, gray beard, Saint Nicholas is portrayed as a staunch champion of the Christian faith, a defender against heresy, and a healer.
Icons (icon means “image” in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, these painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Icons are not worshiped but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual’s prayer to God. As a focus for prayers and meditation for believers, icons serve as “windows into heaven.”
Condition: Surface wear commensurate with age, small chips to obverse side and peripheries, with some fading to pigmentation, and a couple of small nail holes on verso, otherwise excellent. Both back slats still present. Nice craquelure to paint. Two small metal loop screws on verso for mounting.
Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection
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