Russian school, mid-19th century. "Alexander Nevsky as Monarch". Tempera, gold leaf on panel.

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RUSSIAN ICONS

By Setdart Auction House

Sep 23, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-09-23 10:00:00 2021-09-23 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : RUSSIAN ICONS https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/setdart-auction-house/russian-icons-7431
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• Lot Description
  Russian school, mid-19th century. "Alexander Nevsky as Monarch". Tempera, gold leaf on panel. Measurements: 44,5 x 37 cm. In orthodox iconography there is a tradition of sanctifying kings. This tradition has Byzantine origins, but gained great popularity in the territory of Ancient Rus. This typology of saints, in literal translation into English, is called "good believers". This image is dedicated to the figure of Tsar Alexander Nevsky. His first depictions appear from the middle of the 16th century, after he was canonised in 1547. At first he was depicted as a monk, as he was ordained a monk just before his death in 1263. However, this typology, although still used but less frequently, was replaced by his depiction as a tsar, due to the growing interest in the genealogy of the Russian monarchy during the second half of the 16th century. In that period, the depiction of Russian tsars, even if not canonised, began to form part of various iconographic compositions. In 1724, the iconography of Alexander Nevsky was definitively changed. After his mortal remains had been transferred to the Alexander Nevsky Monastery, built in St. Petersburg ten years earlier, he came to be depicted only dressed as a tsar, with martial armour and a mantle over his shoulders, leaning against the shield with ensign, and accompanied by the attributes of princely power, as can be seen in the icon of interest. This type was most widespread during the rule of the Russian Emperors Alexander I (1801 - 1826) and Alexander II (1855 - 1881), because Alexander Nevsky was their namesake saint. Adding this to the visual aspect of the icon, it is possible to establish its approximate date of production as the middle of the 19th century. The icon at auction presents an interesting iconography, as it combines elements of the two canonical representations of Alexander Nevsky. On the one hand, the Tsar appears in front of the viewer with the main princely attributes, following the 18th-century model. On the other hand, he receives the blessing of Jesus Christ, following the prototype of the 16th-century Alexander Nevsky-monk, when he was usually depicted in a monk's chiton, receiving the blessing of the Virgin and, less frequently, of Christ. The border of the icon depicts various saints, including Saint Tatiana of Rome and the Apostle Peter.
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