Russische Iconen
This icon is of the Eleousa type and depicts the Virgin’s love for her Son. Their heads are bent towards each other and touch. Sometimes the hand of the child caresses the cheek of his mother or embraces her around her neck.
Size 20 x 25 cm (7.9 x 9.8 inches) ●
Under fiery clouds, through which Elijah ascends to heaven in a chariot drawn by several horses, scenes depict his life. At the bottom right, Elijah, awaiting his death, lies on a bed while an angel exhorts him once again to have courage. To the left is his disciple Elisha, shown stretching his hands out to Elijah.
Size 28 x 35 cm (11.0 x 13.8 inches) ●
This icon, painted in Constantinople for the ruler Isyaslav of Kiev, arrived in Kiev in 1132. From there it was taken away by his son Bogolyubski to his residence in Vladimir, from which the icon Vladimirskaya takes its name. In 1315 the Eleousa icon finally arrived in Moscow, where it consoled and heartened soldiers during several wars, and became known as the The Mother of Russian Soil.
Size 28 x 35 cm (11.0 x 13.8 inches) ●
This icon differs from the traditional Virgin icons in the colours it uses. The headdress is also different. The icon’s origin is unknown
Size 26 x 32 cm (10.2 x 12.6 inches) ●
The Virgin Orans of Jaroslavl belongs to one of the earliest pictures of Mary. In this icon, Mary is depicted in a praying pose (with raised hands). In front of Mary in the clypeus, Jesus also raises his hands. This archetypal icon originated from Constantinople, in the then district of Blachernitissa. On either side of Mary’s face, angels are depicted in medallions.
Size 24 x 43 cm (9.4 x 16.9 inches) ●
To the left in the foreground are the patriarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostomos. To the right in the foreground are the holy healers Cosmos and Damianus. To the left and right at the top are the holy warriors Gregory and Demitrius, and in the centre at the top is the Mandylion.
Size 32 x 25 cm (12.6 x 9.8 inches) ●
In the middle St. Nicholas is depicted in all his finery. His right hand makes a gesture of blessing and his left hand holds the book of the Gospels. On the left panel the young St. Nicholas heals the arm of a woman. Underneath his baptism is depicted and he is already preaching a sermon. At the top of the right panel the young St. Nicholas is taught by his uncle. Underneath he is preventing the execution of three citizens of Mira.
Size 48 x 39 cm (18.9 x 15.4 inches) ●
Behind the elongated deathbed of Mary surrounded by mourning apostles is a large image of Christ with the soul of his mother on his arm, completely surrounded by an aureole. Above his head is an angel with six wings. The two bishops could be Hierotheos and Dionysius, who were both disciples of Paul and bishop of Athens.
Size 27 x 35 cm (10.6 x 13.8 inches)
The resurrected Christ is standing in the light flooding down from above, over the abyss of darkness, where the broken doors and hinges are still visible. Christ has liberated from hell the forefathers and Kings of the Old Testament, now standing behind him, as well as Eve. Finally Christ pulls out Adam into the light of mercy. Above, angels soar with the Cross and tools of torture in their hands. The picture is traditional.
Size: 28 x 43 cm ( 11.0 x 16.9 inches) ●
The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates the circumcision of Christ on the 1st of January. Icons with this theme are quite rare, and the origin of this one is St. Petersburg. In the Bible, only the evangelist Luke describes this event. Luke 2:21
Size: 31 x 40 cm (12.2 x 15.8 inches) ●