234 - OLD BELIEVER ICON OF CHRIST ENTHRONED WITH ATTENDANT SAINTS (EXTENDED DEESIS). RUSSIA, 19TH CENTURY.

OLD BELIEVER ICON OF CHRIST ENTHRONED WITH ATTENDANT SAINTS (EXTENDED DEESIS). RUSSIA, 19TH CENTURY. A Russian icon depicting Christ Enthroned with Attendant Saints, executed in the 19th century in the Old Believer icon-painting tradition. The multi-figure composition represents an extended Deesis, with Christ Pantocrator surrounded by the Mother of God, Saint John the Baptist, angels and selected saints. The work is distinguished by its rich colour palette, finely articulated details and expressive use of gold and metallic highlights. At the centre of the composition, Christ Pantocrator is depicted seated upon an elaborately ornamented throne. His right hand is raised in blessing, while His left holds an open Gospel book inscribed with a Church Slavonic text. The Saviour wears richly rendered robes, their carefully delineated folds and decorative highlights emphasising the modelling of the drapery. Flanking the throne are the Mother of God and Saint John the Baptist, turned towards Christ in an attitude of prayerful intercession. Both hold unfurled scrolls bearing Church Slavonic inscriptions. Angelic figures appear behind them, while the upper register contains selected saints, including apostles and bishops. In the lower part of the composition, two prostrate figures of saints reinforce the devotional character of the image. The painting reflects the Old Believer iconographic tradition, characterised by its adherence to early Russian artistic models, elongated proportions, restrained modelling of the faces and delicately rendered drapery. The richly gilded background, ornamental details of the throne and metallic highlights create a striking decorative effect. The central painted field is surrounded by broad borders in warm reddish-brown tones, outlined with fine lines. The icon is painted on a wooden panel reinforced on the reverse by two transverse wooden battens. Materials and Technique: Wood panel, gesso, probably tempera, gilding, metallic highlights; silvering according to the information provided. Dimensions: 31.2 × 27 cm. Condition: Natural signs of age. Wear to the gilding, localised losses to the paint layer, minor scratches and darkening of the surface coating are visible. The wooden support exhibits age-related changes. The principal composition and figures of the saints remain clearly legible. Width: 27cm, Height: 31.2cm, Depth: 5cm, Condition: As is, Material: Wood, ID: ID-ANTQ-17259