238 - RUSSIAN ICON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT TRINITY. PALEKH, RUSSIA, LATE 18TH CENTURY.

RUSSIAN ICON OF THE OLD TESTAMENT TRINITY. PALEKH, RUSSIA, LATE 18TH CENTURY. An antique Russian icon depicting the Old Testament Trinity, executed in the late 18th century in the tradition of the Palekh school of icon painting, using tempera and gilding. The composition represents an elaborate version of the iconographic subject known as The Hospitality of Abraham, derived from the biblical account of the appearance of three angels to the Patriarch Abraham at the Oak of Mamre. At the centre of the composition, three angels are depicted seated upon richly ornamented thrones around a rectangular table bearing three gilded cups. Their figures form a harmonious, rhythmically balanced arrangement, accentuated by the expressive silhouettes of their wings and golden haloes. Their garments are rendered in rich shades of red, ochre and blue-green, with finely articulated drapery folds and decorative details. To the left, the Patriarch Abraham and Sarah are depicted against a backdrop of architectural structures. Above the central group rises the Oak of Mamre, with its luxuriant flowering crown, while stylised rocky mountains occupy the right-hand side. The architectural and landscape elements are executed in the traditional, highly stylised manner of Old Russian icon painting. The gold ground, expressive draughtsmanship and rich palette lend the work a particular sense of decorative splendour and solemnity. The meticulous treatment of detail, harmonious colour combinations and compositional balance reflect the characteristic artistic qualities of the Palekh school of icon painting in the 18th century. Inscriptions: The upper border bears the inscription “HOLY TRINITY” (in Church Slavonic). The figures of the Patriarch Abraham and Sarah are accompanied by identifying inscriptions reading “ABRAHAM” and “SARAH”. Dimensions: 33.8 × 28.5 cm. Materials: Wood panel, levkas (gesso ground), tempera, gilding. Condition: Good condition. Natural signs of age, wear to the painted surface and gilding, and localised losses to the paint layer. Width: 28.5cm, Height: 33.8cm, Depth: 5cm, Weight: 1kg, Condition: Good, with traces of use, Material: Wood, ID: ID-ANTQ-17251