"The Triptych from Ural."

18th century. Around 1750. The Urals. Nevyansk. Great Ustyug.
Size: Three icons. The size of each icon is: 19,7х18,7 cm.
Technique & Material: Board, gesso, yolk tempera, drying oil.

Description:  Nevyansk - Old Believers art school, which is the most refined and graceful. Made-to-order home iconostasis with selected subjects.

Great Ustyug, as a school of icon painting, is one of the most famous art schools in the history of Russian icon painting. Icon painters from the Stroganov School and the Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin were drewing the inspiration from Great Ustyug. This style represents the so-called "Noble" icon, i.e. iconography for the high society of Russian people.

The organizers and legislators of this style were patrons of art - the Old Believers, who were inviting the best masters from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Mstera. They adequately paid to the invited icon painters to work in Urals, often more than in Moscow, but at the same time they demanded an exceptional quality of art.

This "three set" - is a very curious, perhaps unique, work of Russian icon painting. As a work of art, it is beautiful in every aspect and at the same time it is impressive choice of subjects. Based on the size, most likely this mini-iconostasis for a small home church - an order from a wealthy Old Believer industrialist. In these three small-sized icons 12 plots are included. And the choice of these plots is not accidental, as each of the icons is dedicated to John the Baptist and to the apostles Peter and Paul, Jesus Christ and the Mother of God. Also as a separate message, as a general idea in these icons, is the theme of salvation and Angelic protection of believers. This symbolizes the first plot of one of the icons, where the Guardian Angel with a fiery sword in his hand "protects his person under krill" from the serpent.

Also pays attention to the fact that each of the icon has Nativity, which is very attractive for a bright home prayer and patronage for children.
Other subjects preference is given to rare compositions. For example, on the first icon there is an unique (!) plot of the care of the Angel over a man.

1.
The Nativity of John the Baptist.
Angel Guardian with a fiery sword "protects his person from krill" from the serpent.
The separation of the honest head of St. John.
The Apostles Peter and Paul.

2.
Nativity.
Baptism (Baptism of Christ by John).
The invention. (Meeting of the Old and New Testaments).
Transfiguration of the Lord (on Mount Favor).

3.
Trinity.
Nativity of Mother of God.
Introduction of Mary into the Temple.
Annunciation.

Within the icon-painting canon the talented author of the icon could vividly express himself as a creator. Judging by the plots, the customer was deeply religious person and, at the same time, a person with a good taste who is truly versed in the icon. In addition to icons, this person wanted to have truly graceful works in an elegant style in his house.
Icons are distinguished by filigree work in every stage: from the careful preparation of the board, to the final glare of the melted gold on the garments of the saints, bright and passionate in coloring painting on the eternally quiet heavenly background. This icon has clean and noble colors and honed work in gold. The refined style of this school is also recognizable by the convexity of forms, luminiferous faces and of course, such unusual interpretations of the plots.
All three icons, fortunately in absolute original state of preservation. Native drying oil practically did not darken from time.

To get more detailed provenance, attribution and price offer, please request via e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

High Resolution Images: fragments.
Price: upon request

Уральский Триптих.
18 век. Урал. Невьянск.
Размер: Три иконы, размер каждой из икон : 19,7х18,7 cm.

Доска , левкас , желтковая темпера , олифа.   
High Resolution Images: fragments.
Цена: по запросу