Lot number 1999 - Auction 151
SEHR SELTENE UND GROSSE IKONE MIT DEM JÜNGSTEN GERICHT

A VERY RARE AND LARGE ICON SHOWING THE LAST JUDGMENT Russian, Palekh, Old Believers' workshop, 18th century Tempera on wood panel. Finely executed on a gold ground. At the center of this complex and richly symbolic composition is the Throne of Preparation (Hetimasia) - an empty altar symbolizing divine justice, flanked by angels, saints, and the righteous. Above it, Christ as the Judge of the World is enthroned within a round aureole, flanked by the Mother of God and John the Baptist in intercessory poses (Deesis). To the left and right, the Twelve Apostles are depicted in seated positions. Above this heavenly tribunal, Christ appears in a mandorla, ascending toward God the Father, who symbolically offers Him the seat at His right hand. Above them hovers the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. The Holy Trinity, depicted in a Western typology, appears again at the far right within a circular aureole. Angels spread a starry firmament across the uppermost section of the image. At the top left, the Heavenly Jerusalem is shown, filled with the righteous of the Old Testament and Christian saints. At the entrance to paradise, monks assist ascending souls in entering the celestial realm. Beneath this scene, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are enthroned in the Garden of Paradise, surrounded by the redeemed; to the far left appears the Good Thief. Next to this, Apostle Peter leads a procession of saints toward the Gate of Heaven, above which the Mother of God in Paradise, flanked by two angels, is portrayed. In striking contrast, the region of Hell unfolds on the right side. The so-called Hellmouth, surrounded by angels and demons, reveals devils dragging the condemned into the abyss. At its center, Satan is enthroned upon a monstrous beast of hell, holding the soul of Judas Iscariot, surrounded by subordinate demons. To the left, devils are shown casting monks and a bishop into damnation. At the right edge, flames of hell rise, where devils are hurled up and down; nearby appear apocalyptic beasts, enclosed in round aureoles. A wide band at the bottom of the composition vividly illustrates the punishments of hell for various sinners, including thieves, the greedy, the avaricious, the lustful, and murderers. This theologically rich icon presents a comprehensive visual rendering of Eastern Orthodox eschatology, serving as an outstanding example of the symbolic visual language and spiritual worldview of the Eastern Church. Vertical crack restored, minor losses. 53.2 x 42 cm.