19 - Russian hagiographic icon depicting scenes from the life of the holy great martyr Juliana of Nicomedia—19th century

Russian hagiographic icon depicting scenes from the life of the holy great martyr Juliana of Nicomedia—19th century Egg tempera on panel and gold leaf Height x width: 45 x 36.8 cm which constitutes an extraordinary example of a zhitie (an icon depicting the life of a saint), conceived entirely to illustrate the spiritual journey, legendary virtues, and dramatic testimony of faith of Saint Juliana of Nicomedia—as solemnly and explicitly stated in the dense calligraphic inscription in Old Church Slavonic, found within the large white cartouche at the base of the central panel (“Стая Иулианія...”). The icon’s complex visual architecture is organized around a larger central panel, enclosed by a geometric grid of seven peripheral subsidiary compartments, separated by narrow strips and explanatory cartouches intricately decorated with parallel lines. At the center stands the full-length figure of the saint, rendered with majestic, hieratic monumentality against a polished golden background and a stylized rocky landscape; she wears a brownish-purple maphorion over a dark tunic, raising her right hand in a gesture of testimony and preaching, while her left hand holds a long, unrolled scroll of the Scriptures. Surrounding this devotional focal point—following a narrative progression that balances dogmatic rigor with expressive vitality—are seven scenes of great didactic value, illustrating her Passion and her renowned spiritual triumphs over the forces of evil. In the panels on the left and across the top, one can observe detailed architectural interiors and urban landscapes featuring towers, depicting her arrest and subsequent trial before the pagan prefect Eleusius; in these scenes, the saint appears standing before soldiers in Roman armor and judges seated upon thrones. The sections on the right depict the crucial moments of her martyrdom; notable among these are the powerful panel showing the saint bound to a large cross, and the panel in the bottom-right corner, which portrays her final execution by beheading at the hands of armed knights. Stylistically, the work reveals the exceptional craftsmanship of workshops specializing in narrative miniature painting—historically associated with centers such as Palekh or Mesteria. This is evident in the master’s ability to render such a dense and microscopic iconographic cycle with remarkably sharp, precise brushwork, complemented by a palette that contrasts the vivid cinnabar reds of the architecture and vestments with the deep, dark tones of the garments. H.E. Most Rev. Francisco-Javier Lozano Sebastián, Titular Archbishop of Penafiel and Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus. Item condition rating: **** good. The lot is in good condition, with normal wear and defects commensurate with its age and use over time.