Lot 223
A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE RUSSIAN ICON OF THE HOLY FACE, PALEKH SCHOOL, CIRCA 1890. A striking image executed in egg tempera utilizing an overlaying cross hatching technique which through the buildup of successive layers produces a somewhat three dimensional effect as often found on higher quality icons of the period.   At center the face of Christ is shown as it was miraculously transferred to a cloth and held aloft by two opposing angels that stand above characteristic Palekh-style clouds beneath them. The large thick wood panel gilded, ornately and heavily incised with intricate patterns in the Pan Slavic taste and the borders painted in faux enameling. The left border painted with an image of the Holy Martyr Paraskeva and the right border painted with the Holy Archangel Gabriel.  Above the face of Christ are two decorative medallions with gilt inscriptions abbreviating the name Jesus Christ. On the lower margin within a rectangular cartouche with rounded corners a gilt inscription rendered in Old Church Slavonic identifying the subject as the "Not-by-Hands-Made Image". An interesting story explains the traditional origin of this icon type. In New Testament times King Abgar of the Syrian city of Edessa is said to have fallen ill and sent his court artist Ananias to sketch an image of Christ. So great were the stories of Christ’s healing power, Abgar believed if only he could see an image of Jesus, he too could be healed. In his quest to draw near Christ so as to render his image, Ananias was kept at a distance because of the large crowds. However, knowing this, Christ sought out Ananias in the crowd and pressed a cloth to his own face, miraculously imprinting it with his image and telling Ananias to take the cloth to his king, Abgar. Ananias did as he was told, and upon seeing the cloth, Abgar was healed but retained a slight touch of his former illness until Thaddeus, a disciple of Christ, came and baptized him. Because the image appeared miraculously and was not painted, it is called "The Not Made by Hands Image." It is also sometimes referred to as the "first icon" or "true image". As such it is also related etymologically to the Roman Catholic story of Veronica’s veil. Indeed the name Veronica is derived from the two words, vera (true) and icon (image), meaning true image. The two saints depicted on the borders could very well represent the recipients of this icon, perhaps on their (Paraskeva and Gabriel’s) wedding day. It is this subject matter which was emblazoned on regimental standards and as such lead many a Russian army into battle. It is also often found above the entrance to Eastern Orthodox churches and shrines. An exquisite icon in an excellent state of preservation. 21.1 inches x 17.4 inches (53.5 x 44.3 cm).
Estimate:  $4,000 - 6,000   € 3,080 - 4,620

Price Realized: $7,800.00