2044 - A RARE ICON DEPICTING THE TRANSFER OF THE RELICS OF SAINT ALEXANDER NEVSKY Russian, circa 1900 Tempera on wood panel with kovcheg. The gold ground and border are decorated with punched stylized patterns that emulate the metal oklads of contemporary icons. On the reverse are remnants of a Cyrillic inscription, including the date “1900.” The icon depicts the rarely portrayed transfer of the relics of the Holy Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky (1221–1263). At the center of the composition is the reliquary containing the saint’s remains, being transported by boat across the water, accompanied by high-ranking clergy, including a bishop or patriarch. Along the shore are architectural settings featuring churches and other buildings, while a flock of birds accompanies the vessel. Minimally rubbed. 30.3 x 26.3 cm. Birds accompany the ship. The depiction refers to the transfer of the relics of Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to St. Petersburg. Peter the Great founded the Alexander Nevsky Monastery in 1710 and placed it under the patronage of the revered prince. At his instigation, the relics were transferred from Vladimir in 1723 and arrived at the monastery—later known as the Alexander Nevsky Lavra—the following year. August 30 became the ecclesiastical feast day commemorating the transfer of the relics. The unusual subject matter and elaborate narrative composition reflect the special veneration of Alexander Nevsky in the Russian Empire. Literature: Illustrated in *Lebendige Zeugen. Datierte und signierte Ikonen in Russland um 1900* (Frankfurt, 2005), cat. 134.

A RARE ICON DEPICTING THE TRANSFER OF THE RELICS OF SAINT ALEXANDER NEVSKY Russian, circa 1900 Tempera on wood panel with kovcheg. The gold ground and border are decorated with punched stylized patterns that emulate the metal oklads of contemporary icons. On the reverse are remnants of a Cyrillic inscription, including the date “1900.” The icon depicts the rarely portrayed transfer of the relics of the Holy Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky (1221–1263). At the center of the composition is the reliquary containing the saint’s remains, being transported by boat across the water, accompanied by high-ranking clergy, including a bishop or patriarch. Along the shore are architectural settings featuring churches and other buildings, while a flock of birds accompanies the vessel. Minimally rubbed. 30.3 x 26.3 cm. Birds accompany the ship. The depiction refers to the transfer of the relics of Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to St. Petersburg. Peter the Great founded the Alexander Nevsky Monastery in 1710 and placed it under the patronage of the revered prince. At his instigation, the relics were transferred from Vladimir in 1723 and arrived at the monastery—later known as the Alexander Nevsky Lavra—the following year. August 30 became the ecclesiastical feast day commemorating the transfer of the relics. The unusual subject matter and elaborate narrative composition reflect the special veneration of Alexander Nevsky in the Russian Empire. Literature: Illustrated in *Lebendige Zeugen. Datierte und signierte Ikonen in Russland um 1900* (Frankfurt, 2005), cat. 134. RARE ICON DEPICTING THE TRANSFER OF THE RELICS OF SAINT ALEXANDER NEVSKY Russia, ca. 1900 Composed of two boards joined together with two sponki on the reverse (one lost). Kovcheg, egg tempera on a chalk ground, gold ground, and ornamentally punched border. 30.3 x 26.3 cm. On the reverse, remnants of a Cyrillic inscription with the year “1900.” The icon depicts the rarely portrayed transfer of the relics of Saint Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky (1221–1263). At the center of the composition is the reliquary containing the saint’s remains, which is being carried across the water in a boat, accompanied by high-ranking clergy, including a bishop and the patriarch. Architectural elements, including churches and other buildings, appear on the shore; a flock of birds accompanies the boat. The depiction refers to the transfer of Alexander Nevsky’s remains from Vladimir to St. Petersburg. Peter the Great had founded the Alexander Nevsky Monastery in 1710 and placed it under the protection of the revered prince. At his instigation, the relics were transferred from Vladimir in 1723 and arrived at the monastery—later known as the Alexander Nevsky Lavra—the following year. August 30 became the church feast day commemorating the transfer of the relics. The unusual subject matter and the detailed, narrative-style composition are directly related to the special veneration of Alexander Nevsky in the Russian Empire. Slightly worn. Bibliography: Illustrated in *Living Witnesses*. Dated and Signed Icons in Russia around 1900, Frankfurt 2005, Cat. 134.