Lot number 2055 - Auction 156
GROSSFORMATIGE IKONE MIT DEN HEILIGEN FLORUS UND LAURUS AUS EINER KIRCHEN-IKONOSTASE

A VERY LARGE ICON FROM A CHURCH ICONOSTASIS SHOWING THE HOLY MARTYRS FLORUS AND LAURUS FROM A CHURCH ICONOSTASIS North Russian, 17th century Tempera on wood panel with kovcheg. Symmetrically composed scene. In the middle of the composition St. Michael with outstretched wings is portrayed frontal, Sts. Florus and Laurus at his sides with their hands extended in prayer. In the foreground, three horsemen take their horses to water. The icon is executed in pastel colours, mainly green, red and white. The figures portrayed with ochre and cinnabar nuances. Against a stylized architectural view and a rocky landscape. Minor areas of retouching. 49.2 x 36.5 cm. The twin brothers Florus and Laurus, who worked as masons and builders, were especially venerated as the 'horsemen' saints. According to the Greek life of the saints, they were martyred for their Christian faith in Illyria in the second century. They were the patron saints of horses, to whom it was customary to pray to be 'saved from falling from a horse'. The herd of horses depicted at a watering place in the lower half of the icon are entrusted to the patronage of the three other martyred brothers; Speusippus, Eleusippus and Meleusippus. Like Florus and Laurus, they were venerated in Northern Rus' as saintly horsemen and horse breeders. Like other icons on this subject, the work reflects specific features of the celebration of the martyrs' feast day on 18 August, named the 'horses holy day' in Rus' when it was forbidden to work with these animals. On this feast day, the herd of horses were well fed and driven down to the river to drink and swim, as shown in the lower part of the icon.