237 - ICON OF THE APPARITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD TO SAINT SERGIUS OF RADONEZH. RUSSIA, 19TH CENTURY.

ICON OF THE APPARITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD TO SAINT SERGIUS OF RADONEZH. RUSSIA, 19TH CENTURY. An antique Russian icon depicting the Apparition of the Mother of God to Saint Sergius of Radonezh, executed in the traditions of 19th-century Russian icon painting. The multi-figure composition is distinguished by its finely rendered details, expressive colour palette and richly gilded background. The central scene depicts the Mother of God accompanied by the Holy Apostles Peter and John the Evangelist, shown full-length with haloes and traditional iconographic attributes. The Virgin wears a reddish-brown maphorion with carefully delineated folds, while the Apostles are dressed in robes of ochre, green and reddish hues. To the right, at the entrance to a monastic cell, stand Saint Sergius of Radonezh and his disciple Micah, witnesses to the miraculous apparition. The monks are depicted in dark monastic habits, contrasting with the gilded background and the richly coloured garments of the Virgin and the Apostles. In the upper section of the composition, a circular medallion contains a representation of the Holy Trinity in the traditional Old Testament iconographic type. The architectural setting consists of stylised monastery buildings connected by an enclosing wall, lending spatial depth to the composition. The painting is characterised by precise draughtsmanship, elongated proportions and delicately articulated drapery. The gilded background enhances the solemn character of the scene. The broad dark borders are framed by fine gilt lines. A Church Slavonic inscription identifying the Apparition of the Mother of God to Saint Sergius is preserved along the upper border. Materials and Technique: Wood panel, gesso, probably tempera, gilding. Dimensions: 27.2 × 22.6 cm. Condition: Natural signs of age. Wear and localised losses to the gilding and paint layer, minor scratches, darkening of the surface coating and wear along the edges of the icon are visible. The principal composition and figures of the saints remain clearly legible. Width: 22.6cm, Height: 27.2cm, Depth: 5cm, Condition: As is, Material: Wood, ID: ID-ANTQ-17258