63 - Extended Deesis with selected apostles and saints - 19th century

Extended Deesis with selected apostles and saints - 19th century Egg tempera on panel with a gold ground Height x width: 44.5 x 35 cm a subject of profound devotion within the Orthodox tradition. At the center of the composition, Christ Pantocrator sits majestically upon a royal throne, depicted in the act of blessing with his right hand and holding the open Book of Gospels on his lap. Flanking him is the core of the intercessory prayer: the Virgin Mary on the left and Saint John the Baptist on the right, both shown in a posture of prayer, reaching out toward the Savior to implore salvation for humanity. Immediately behind the three central figures appear the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, followed by a semicircle of apostles, monks, and saints—most notably Saints Peter and Paul. At the top, the central axis is completed by a depiction of Sabaoth—God the Father—set within a radiance of abstract light. The side margins of the icon, known as *polja*, feature four significant figures of the Orthodox faith, included as patron saints chosen by the patron who commissioned the work. On the left margin, the upper section depicts Saint Gregory the Theologian (Saint Gregory of Nazianzus), a Great Father of the Church shown in episcopal vestments holding the Book of Gospels, while the lower section features the Great Martyr Saint Christina, wearing the red mantle that symbolizes martyrdom. Mirroring this arrangement on the right margin, the upper section depicts the Russian monk and miracle-worker Venerable Abraham, shown with a long beard and monastic habit, while the lower section features Venerable Mary of Egypt, a renowned desert hermit and universal symbol of penitence. Stylistically, the painting displays remarkable skill akin to miniature painting and a color palette favoring warm, brilliant tones—such as the emerald green and crimson red of the robes—which stand out sharply against the luminous gold background, a symbol of uncreated divine light. The strictly symmetrical composition, the dense arrangement of figures around the throne, and the identifying inscriptions in Old Slavic script point to a refined work rooted in the revival of traditional Russian models from earlier centuries. The panel is in good overall condition despite the natural wear of time, showing only minor, expected paint loss along the outer edges of the wooden support. H.E. Most Rev. Francisco-Javier Lozano Sebastián, Titular Archbishop of Penafiel and Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus. Item condition grading: **** good.The lot is in a good state of preservation with the normal wear and defects commensurate with its age and use over time. Color losses.