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22sp: God Almighty.
Image information
God Almighty.
Moscow, 18th century. Around 1750.
Monument of the rare iconography.
Size: 40 x 33,5 cm. So called Tzar( Imperiors ) size is reinforces the impression from this icon.
Technique & Material: Solid board, gesso, tempera, drying oil.
Description: "Golden Age" of Russian history: the period of the reign from Catherine the First to the Catherine the Great, and in particular the period of the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna years 1741-1761. It was the period of the heyday of the art, rich "palace" style iconography of Moscow. This era is characterized by the desire to reach the elite of Russian society and to experience the fullness of life. This spirit of the time was promote to attract in the artistic rev of the new creative solutions, new techniques and new iconography that have attached a fresh sound to the traditional canonical images and plots.(Also were attracted Western European engravings that were awaken in painters the impetus to creative new solutions).
According to the laws of classical iconography - any deviation from the traditional canon - was a serious deliberate step that requires a broad outlook, fluency in texts (Gospels and the apocryphal) and of course the highest professional experience and the authority of the iconographer. That's why this icon is almost always is the icon of the the product of a superior master and the pride of any collection.
At the heart of the icon we can see the classic iconography. Half-length figure of the Christ with the blessing gesture of the right hand and an open book in the left hand, but differs from it in detail and composition and content character. Here is presented not sitting, but standing Savior in a half standing (it is rarely meeting version of such figure images - mid-thigh). The most rare and significant detail of this icon is the perfect angel face, which is placed it's head as a table for the Gospel.
Angel in Christian art and theology is an allegorical image of the Evangelist Matthew. So apparently painter gives us a coded message on the Gospel of Matthew, which Christ is holding in his hand. And the translation is : "Enter through the narrow gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it Because narrow is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13-14)
Thus the image of an angel as a symbol of Matthew probably had to reflect the human genealogy of the Christ, from which begins the Gospel of Matthew; (In Christian art, the four evangelists were assigned as their attributes and symbols of the following creatures: Matthew associates as the rule, with the image of an angel, Mark - a lion, Luke - bull (calf), John - Eagle)
Nimbus (halo) of the savior is made with the gold leaf without polishing and decorated with the "cold enamel" paints, that are imitating precious stones. The frame of the icon is also made with gold leaf.
Separately we want to stop at the paints, colors and symbolism. After all, the purity and the clarity of the paint layer of the icon always showed the purity of the spiritual state of the iconographer. The influence of color on the human soul is huge. It is acts on it not less than the sound of the right "sounding", color harmony wisdom generate peace, rest and love. In this icon the colors are clean and perfect. Each of them are endowed with value. The heaton of the Savior - pink (the symbol of childhood and kingship), and the himation are dark blue with light blue lining (blue and light blue color of the sky). Pure white color symbolizes the gospel holiness and purity.
The highest professionalism of Moscow's best masters allowed them to create true works of art, enriching the overall world art heritage. Iconographic variety here is an indication of the professionalism and level of education.
Condition: absolutely perfect, drying oil was thinned on the background and clothing. The control "window" of the old varnish is left on left field.
Light burns varnish on the bottom of the icon, because of that the icon was located for a long time in front of the of candles, that speaks of great veneration of the icon.
Provenance: Private collection.
High Resolution Images: fragments.
SOLD
