"Assumption of the Blessed Mother of God"

High Resolution Images: fragments.

Moscow. Around 1800

Size: 70 х 43 сm.
Technique & Material: Board, gesso, gold leaf, tempera, enamel over engraved fields.

Description:  In Orthodox Christianity, there is one amazing icon of the Assumption (Dream) of the Blessed Mother of God. It is very popular among believers and it is also called the "Second Easter". If in Catholicism, this plot is somewhat sad, then in the Orthodox icon, this is the plot of the triumph of Eternal Life, Resurrection and Aspirations of Paradise. In this icon we contemplate two planes of being. When the Mother of God mourned by the apostles is already at once in the hands of the Jesus Christ.

In the artistic and theological sense we are admire to this work of art written by an anonymous talented master.
This is the highest level of painting on a polished sheet of gold leaf, an extremely rich color palette of colors is harmonious at the same time. The golden transparent varnish in this icon colorfully and tonal unites all the colors. From a theological point of view, the icon is true to the ancient tradition, since according to the canon the colors in the icon are symbolic. For example, Mother of God is depicted in blue robes with the gold, since the Blue color is the Calling One, leading to paradise. This is the color of the sky from the opposite side of the sunset. Jesus Christ is depicted in shining white robes, as white means holiness, participation in the divine world.

Noteworthy is the widespread use of melted gold for dressing with the soft layers. The contrast of gold with the blue veil of the Mother of God is remarkable, as with the apostles.

Faces are similar to what the masters of the armory were painting. Faces are more realistic, voluminous, thanks to the technique of ochrenie. The face of the sleeping Mother of God is calm and luminiferous. We can see heavenly radiance on it.

State of preservation and conservation:
This icon has almost perfect state of preservation. There was done complete strengthening of the paint layer, removal of surface contaminants, dust, etc.
The golden transparent drying oil in this icon colorfully and tonally unites all the colors, therefore, in order not to distort the author’s intention, the restorers limited themselves to removing surface contaminants, and the coating of drying oil was not removed, but only was thinned.
The reinforcement of the wooden base board was carried out. It is of rather complicated design, because, due to its considerable size and specific shape, the board was rallied from three parts by gluing together and one solid, powerful dowel. Our Restorers, in addition to general strengthening, added dowels "martlets" to the joints of the parts, in order to surely avoid any problems with the board in the future.

Perfect state of preservation.

Provenance: private collection.

Please ask for more detailed information.

Price: 2900 EUR.-

Успение Пресвятой Богородицы. 
Москва. Около 1800 года.
Размер: 70 х 43 сm.

Доска, левкас, сусальное золото, темпера,  эмаль по гравированым полям.

High Resolution Images: fragments.
Цена: 2900 EUR.-