19th C. Gilt Russian Icon - Scenes of the Virgin Mary

About Auction

Live

Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages

By Artemis Gallery

Aug 19, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-08-19 10:00:00 2021-08-19 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-7345
Ancient art from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, as well as Asian, Fossils, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Fine art, and much more! All categories, all price ranges... all legally acquired and guaranteed to be as described or your money back. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

View Full Catalog (375)

• Lot Description
  Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 19th century CE. An exquisite Russian Orthodox icon depicting the 4 scenes of Theotokos, or the Mother of God, painted on hardwood in gesso and egg tempera, each with a lustrous gold leaf background and all enveloped in a glossy varnish. Displaying hues of blue, green, red, brown, black, and white, the stunning example is divided equally into 4 rectangular images, exhibiting the Virgin of Bogoliubovo and Life-Giving Source Madonna in the top register and depictions of St. Anne and Mary as a child and the Virgin of the Sweet Kiss in the lower section. The figures are characteristically rigid and pantomime-like, inspired by the Byzantine style admired by the Russian Orthodox Church. Size: 10.3" W x 12" H (26.2 cm x 30.5 cm)
  
  The Virgin of Bogoliubovo is named after Prince Andrei Bogoliubskii. On July 18, 1157, the Virgin appeared to him in a dream, making a gesture of supplication to Christ and unfurling a scroll with a prayer. Following this apparition, the prince commissioned a painting of his vision and had a monastery built on the site of his vision called the Monastery of Bogoliubovo. Here, one can see the narrative quite clearly, as the Virgin stands before a kneeling Prince Andrew, holding a scroll in her right hand. She holds her left hand in prayer toward Christ, who is shown in an aureole in the upper right corner. Prince Andrew's castle can be seen behind them.
  
  The Life-Giving Source Madonna, in the upper right corner, depicts the Virgin Mary offering the waters of salvation. At a location now known as Baliki near the Selimbria Gates of Constantinople stands the Sanctuary of the Source. According to tradition, the Mother of God, in a vision, declared that its waters were miraculous, and so, the ailing gathered around the basin. In this traditional composition, the faithful who flocked to the waters praise the Virgin as an unceasing source of life and health. The Virgin and Child occupy a large golden goblet, a strong allusion to the eucharistic chalice, its waters flowing into the basin below. The archangels Michael and Gabriel flank the holy pair, gracefully floating above. Partaking of the waters are likely the emperor, patriarch, the sick, and the poor. In addition, before the fountain, a Thessalian is miraculously brought back to life when the waters are poured over his head. This theme, celebrating the fountain of life and the waters of salvation that makes all infirmities disappear and can even overcome death, first appeared in Russia in 1654, and was introduced by the Greeks. Furthermore, Nicephorus Callistus wrote a church service about the Life-Giving Source.
  
  Below these 2 narratives are 2 endearing mother and child scenes: the left of St. Anne and the Virgin Mary and the right displaying Mary and baby Jesus in a pose known as the Madonna of the Sweet Kiss. Depictions of St. Anne and Mary are fairly uncommon and typically based off of the Sweet Kiss, as one can see here that the pair are of remarkable similarity, positioned as near mirror images of one another - though Mary is shrouded in her traditional blue robe in both images, while Jesus wears white. The Virgin of the Sweet Kiss is a subject that derives from a prototype purportedly painted by Saint Luke at Ephesus and believed to be the first icon depicting the Virgin Mary that Prince Vladimir brought to Kiev in 988.
  
  As depictions of 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 such they are truly "windows into heaven."
  
  Provenance: private Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, USA collection
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #164717

  Condition

  Small losses to upper right corner and left periphery. Some chipping to tempura and losses to gilding. Back slats slightly loose. Otherwise, excellent with nice remaining pigments and gilding.
• Shipping Info

  • All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 26.50 %