This icon is an animated representation of the resurrection of Christ, against the background of the Sinai. Christ descends into Hades and bears a decorated cross, representing the symbol of victory. Kings David and Solomon, as well as Adam and Eve, are to the left and right. Above are other figures including John the Baptist and Moses.
Size: 50 x 30 cm. ●
A Western theme, which was adopted in the 17th century by the Eastern Orthodox Church. It depicts the words of the old Simon who spoke to the Mother of God when she presented her son in the temple: ‘Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also’ (Luke 2:35). Seven white swords pierce her, representing the seven sorrows of Mary: the flight into Egypt, the prophecy in the temple, the twelve-year old Christ in the temple, the Crucifixion, the descent from the Cross, the burial, as well as the piercing of her soul.
Size: 27 x 35 cm. ●
This icon has a strict geometrical structure, all the rings containing Church Slavonic inscriptions on a white background, referring to the figure depicted. In the middle ring is Christ Emmanuel, in the second ring four eyes, nose and mouth, ‘the all-seeing eye’, in the third ring the Virgin Orante and in the largest ring the seraphim and cherubim. The four corner rings contain images of the four evangelists, with texts in the rings referring to each of them. In the upper middle ring is God the Father, with the seraphim and cherubim in the outer ring.
Size: 27 x 35 cm. ●
The original popular icon was painted using the encaustic technique in the 7th century. This one is painted in tempera, with striking images relating to the birth of Christ.
Size: 27 x 35 cm.●
This icon is richly decorated with gold leaf, and the border too is beautifully executed in gold assist. The clothes of the Mother of God differ slightly from those more commonly depicted. The Christ-child already has a somewhat older facial expression. The aureoles around the Mother and Child are richly decorated. This archetypal icon is kept at Saint Catharine’s Monastery in Sinai.
Grootte: 27 x 35 cm.
This Saint is commemorated in Orthodox countries on 28 October. She is the patron of housewives, merchants, thieves and lawyers, because Fridays are market days for women, when stealing is most prevalent and summary justice has to be handed down to the thieves. Since she fought for the purity of the faith, she can be depicted with a white hood or veil, which can be seen here. She was beheaded for her faith in the year 140.
Size: 24 x 28 cm.●
The Arch Strategist
‘Who is as God’ reads the translation of Michael who, as a herald of the Apocalypse, weighs up the souls at the Last Judgment. ‘And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils’ (Revelation 18:1-2).
Size: 27 x 35 cm.
The table at which Abraham seats his guests is depicted as a diagonal from bottom right to top left. The angel in the top left-hand corner sits in order of rank in a raised position and is identified as Jesus Christ by the nimbus with the letters O, W, N (I Am that I Am) and Christ’s name IC XC. Abraham offers him the head of the sacrificial lamb on an open platter, Sarah kneels and presents him with a golden cask. Abraham’s tent is depicted more as a palace or a temple.
Size: 27 x 35 cm. ●
Christ is depicted on the icon according to the iconography of Emmanuel, but with the wings of an angel and bearing the title ‘Saviour and Blessed Silence’. This refers to ‘the eternal silence of God’s existence’. The text on the prayer scroll reads ‘Why do you call me, My mother, My mouth was full’ (Isaiah 42:3 and Isaiah 53:7).
Size: 20 x 25 cm.●
A favourite icon in Russia since the 17th century, especially among the Old Believers. In his right hand he holds the cross of blessing and in his left hand the sword (symbol of protection). As a separate pictorial motif, the depiction was first seen in the Christian East in the late Middle Ages. Psalm 91:11-12 says: ‘For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways’
Size: 58 x 34 cm. ●