LOT 179
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Lot 179
A RUSSIAN ICON OF SAINT JOHN THE FORERUNNER, 17TH CENTURY. In this example, John is depicted full length, turned inward towards Christ in an attitude of prayer. He holds his right hand in a blessing gesture configured in the manner favored by the Old Believers. In his left hand he holds a scroll upon which is inscribed text taken from Matthew 3:2, "Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand…" Known in Western Christianity as John the Baptist, he is commonly called the Forerunner (Slavonic Predtecha) in Eastern Orthodoxy. He wears a hair shirt (vlasyanitsa) and is depicted here with wings. The wings derive from the double meaning of the Greek word used to describe him in Mark 1:2 – angelos, meaning both messenger and angel. In Orthodoxy, John is often called a "heavenly man and earthly angel." The upper right margin displays the remnants of later over paintings and the condensed abbreviated text boxes at upper left and right identify him as "The Holy John". Most likely from the right side of the Deisis tier of a small iconostasis. 28 inches x 11.75 inches (71.2 x 30 cm).
Estimate:
$2,000 - 3,000
€ 1,540 - 2,310
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