1133 - A VERY FINE ICON DEPICTING CHRIST “THE FEARSOME EYE” WITH A SILVER RIZA; Russian, 16th century (icon); Russian, Moscow, 1896 (riza); tempera on wood panel with kovcheg. The silver riza is decorated with repoussé scrollwork. It is marked with a city mark, an assayer’s mark, the 84 standard, and the Cyrillic master’s mark “SS.” Christ is depicted strictly from the front in bust length, his gaze as Judge of the World directed to one side. The visible areas of the green himation and red chiton are partially highlighted with gold folds. The image of Christ, shown only to the shoulders, represents a variant of the Pantokrator type known as “The Fearsome Eye” or “Christ of the Fiery Gaze,” which appeared in Russia in the 14th century. This type was likely inspired by depictions of Christ Pantokrator in the domes of Byzantine churches. Stylistically, the painting is closely related to works by the icon painter Dionisiy. The background and border have been stripped down to the levkas and restored. 31.7 x 26.5 cm.

A VERY FINE ICON DEPICTING CHRIST “THE FEARSOME EYE” WITH A SILVER RIZA; Russian, 16th century (icon); Russian, Moscow, 1896 (riza); tempera on wood panel with kovcheg. The silver riza is decorated with repoussé scrollwork. It is marked with a city mark, an assayer’s mark, the 84 standard, and the Cyrillic master’s mark “SS.” Christ is depicted strictly from the front in bust length, his gaze as Judge of the World directed to one side. The visible areas of the green himation and red chiton are partially highlighted with gold folds. The image of Christ, shown only to the shoulders, represents a variant of the Pantokrator type known as “The Fearsome Eye” or “Christ of the Fiery Gaze,” which appeared in Russia in the 14th century. This type was likely inspired by depictions of Christ Pantokrator in the domes of Byzantine churches. Stylistically, the painting is closely related to works by the icon painter Dionisiy. The background and border have been stripped down to the levkas and restored. 31.7 x 26.5 cm. VERY FINE ICON OF CHRIST “THE FIERCE EYE” WITH SILVER RIZA Russia, 16th century (icon), Russia, Moscow, 1896 (riza) Single panel with two sponki on the reverse. Kovcheg, levkas, egg tempera. Silver riza decorated with embossed foliage. 31.7 x 26.5 cm. Hallmarked with city mark, assayer’s mark, fineness “84,” and master’s mark “SS” in Cyrillic. A strictly frontal bust of Christ. The gaze of the Judge of the World is directed to the side. The visible parts of the green himation and the red chiton are partly decorated with gold folds. The portrait of Christ, depicted only up to the base of the shoulders, is a variant of the Pantocrator that appeared in 14th-century Russia as “the grim eye” or “Christ with the fiery gaze.” Depictions of the Pantocrator in the domes of Byzantine churches likely served as the artistic model for this type. Stylistically, the painting closely follows examples by the icon painter Dionisij. The paint on the background and border has been removed; restored.