Lot number 2535 - Auction 142
IKONE MIT DEM TOD SWJASTOPOLKS

AN ICON SHOWING THE DEATH OF SVYATOPOLK Russian, 17th century Tempera on wood panel with kovcheg. The background made of gold. Set into a later panel (vrezka). 37.8 x 27.8 cm. The death of Sviatopolk is shrouded in legends and mystical tales that reflect his role in the history of Kievan Rus, particularly his involvement in the murder of his brothers, Saints Boris and Gleb. Sviatopolk, also known as "Sviatopolk the Accursed," gained infamy for his brutal measures to secure power following the death of his father, Vladimir the Great. After having his brothers Boris and Gleb murdered in an attempt to eliminate potential rivals to the throne, a curse fell upon Sviatopolk. His death was long interpreted as divine retribution for his sins. According to historical sources, Sviatopolk lost his grip on Kyiv in a power struggle with his half-brother, Yaroslav the Wise. He fled westward, seeking refuge in what is now Poland. However, his end is described as both mysterious and fateful. According to an old legend, as Sviatopolk attempted to escape between the lands of the Czechs and Poles, the ground suddenly opened beneath him, and he was swallowed alive. This tale symbolizes not only his downfall but also the belief that treachery against one's own family and the shedding of innocent blood cannot go unpunished. It is said that during his flight, he was tormented by madness and severe illnesses, further intensifying his agonizing death. Sviatopolk's death marked the conclusion of a turbulent and bloody era in the power struggles of Kievan Rus, which eventually led to the stabilization of the realm under the rule of Yaroslav the Wise. While Sviatopolk's political ambitions and brutal actions left a lasting mark on history, his tragic end was seen as divine justice, meted out for his transgressions.