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3336n: "Nativity of the Christ"
Image information
"Nativity of the Christ."
18th century. Russia.
Size: 31,0 x 26,5 cm.
Technique & Material: One-piece board, yolk tempera, gilding, drying oil. Basma: Silver, chasing. 84th sample. The hallmark of assay master and jeweler: 1795 G.A. , R.A.
Description: The Mother of God has a silver areola with cloisonne enamel over the halo. The enamel is almost completely lost but the nimbus is preserved in the ideal state.
The Stroganov School of Icon Painting (or "Stroganov's Letters") is a Russian icon painting school that took shape at the end of the 16th century. It received its name on behalf of the wealthy merchants and producers of salt - Stroganov brothers, since it was most clearly manifested in a amount of works related to their name. The best masters of this school were Moscow icon painters who worked in the royal workshops.
The Stroganovs introduced into icon painting the division of labor between the icon painters of narrow specialization: "face painting", "before face painting", master of "canvas writing" etc.
This icon demonstrates the distinctive features of the Stroganov school.
For the first time in the history of Old Russian painting, the painters of the Stroganov school dis-covered the beauty and the poetry of the landscape. On the colored backgrounds (as in this case - green) of many icons landscape panoramas with glades, mountains etc.
The painting of this icon of Nativity distinguishes (like other best Stroganov icon):
• virtuosic drawing and lines
• careful fractional and thin worked details
• the richness of the ornament and often there is a precious basma, frame or oklad.
• radiant and clear colors
• multifigure, expanded compositions
• landscape panoramas
• stretched figures
This icon of Natiity is the true etalon work of the Stroganov School, the most elitist direction of Russian iconography along with the Armory Chamber. Many masters of Armory Chamber and even Simon Ushakov himself were doing "extra work" with the Stroganovs, in addition to the main work for Tsar in Kremlin.
Only the language of the colors of this icon is amazing with its purity and voicing, boldness of color combinations. For example, the black abyss of a cave on a brightly golden background of mountains is completely unique an unexpected. There is also unique pretty detail which can be overlooked by the naked eye: Christ lies in the manger, and there is a blue glow around him.
Stroganov's icons are distinguished by the abundance of details and the perfection of their execution. All the harness horses are made with gold and polishing.
Ideal state of preservation.
Please ask for the additional information and provenance.
High Resolution Images: fragments.
Price: upon request
Рождество Христово.
18 век. Россия.
Размер: 31,0 x 26,5 cm.
Доска цельная , темпера желтковая , золочение , олифа. Басма : Серебро , чеканка. 84 проба.
High Resolution Images: fragments.
Цена: по запросу