Lot number 1445 - Auction 161
SEHR SELTENE UND MONUMENTALE IKONE MIT DEM MANDYLION UND DER ABGAR-LEGENDE

A VERY RARE AND MONUMENTAL ICON SHOWING THE MANDYLION AND THE LEGEND OF ABGAR Northern Russian, late 16th century Tempera on wood panel with kovcheg. The background and border have been stripped down to the levkas, partially restored. 71.3 x 56.5 cm. According to Christian tradition, King Abgar V of Edessa suffered from a severe illness. Having heard of Christ's miracles and healings, he sent a messenger to Jerusalem with a letter asking Christ to come to Edessa and heal him. In later versions of the legend, the messenger is identified as Ananias, who is also said to have been commissioned to paint the face of Christ. When Ananias was unable to capture Christ's features, Christ is said to have washed his face and pressed a cloth against it, upon which his image was miraculously imprinted. The cloth was brought to Edessa, where Abgar was healed through the sacred image and converted to the Christian faith.