Lot number 807 - Auction 156
MONUMENTALE IKONE MIT DEM ENTSCHLAFEN DER GOTTESMUTTER (KOIMESIS)

A MONUMENTAL ICON SHOWING THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD FROM A CHURCH ICONOSTASIS Russian, 17th century Egg tempera on wood panel with kovcheg. The Dormition depicts the death of the Mother of God. Tradition relates that when her death grew near, angels brought the apostles from different parts of the world. Christ is shown at center within a mandorla receiving His mother's soul, represented as an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. Above them a red six-winged seraph. The apostles stand around her. Below a fanatical Jewish priest (sometimes named Iefoniya or Athonios) stands before the bier. Attempting to push it over, he has his hands cut off by a sword-wielding angel. In the heavenly realm the Assumption of the Mother of God, she seated on a throne with her hands extended in supplication, the Apostles on clouds, each accompanied by his guardian angel occupy the upper part of the composition. The saturated colours of the figures standing out against the pastel shades of the constructions in the background. Restored. 99 x 80 cm.