98 - A multi-panel Russian icon depicting Saint Nicholas, the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, the Holy Martyrs of Edessa, Saint Euphemia, and the Mandylion of Edessa—19th century

A multi-panel Russian icon depicting Saint Nicholas, the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, the Holy Martyrs of Edessa, Saint Euphemia, and the Mandylion of Edessa—19th century Tempera on panel Height x width: 31 x 27 cm. An interesting and complex 19th-century Russian icon, organized into a multi-register narrative structure (multi-panel), traditionally associated with family commissions and devotion to the household’s patron saints. The surface is divided into three main compartments. The central vertical line, which symmetrically divides the upper section of the panel into two halves, is crowned at the top by an irregularly shaped reserve containing the Mandylion, the “Savior Not Made by Human Hands.”The upper left register depicts the hieratic figure of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra, portrayed in half-length in episcopal vestments (omophorion), raising his right hand in a gesture of blessing and holding the closed book of the Gospels with his left. The upper right panel depicts the dramatic scene of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, with the Forerunner’s head resting on the sacrificial platter, the symbol of his martyrdom. Finally, the lower panel features the Holy Martyrs of Edessa: Saint Samonas, Saint Gurias, Saint Abibus, and Saint Euphemia, identifiable by the calligraphic Cyrillic inscriptions above their halos. The artwork exhibits fine pictorial execution in accordance with ancient traditional canons, featuring a warm color palette dominated by shades of brown, brick red, and ochre. Item condition rating: **** good. The icon is in good condition, with normal wear and defects commensurate with its age and use over time.