Ancient Russian icon, 19th century: Apparition of the Virgin to St. Sergius of Radonezh, 36x30 cm
Ancient Russian icon depicting the Apparition of the Virgin to St. Sergius of Radonezh, originating from Central Russia and datable to the 19th century. The work measures 36 x 30 cm and is executed in egg tempera on wood prepared with levkas. The scene represents one of the most significant episodes in the life of St. Sergius of Radonezh, among the most venerated saints of the Russian Orthodox tradition. According to the hagiographic account, during a night of prayer the Mother of God appeared t...
Info and features
Ancient Russian icon depicting the Apparition of the Virgin to St. Sergius of Radonezh, originating from Central Russia and datable to the 19th century. The work measures 36 x 30 cm and is executed in egg tempera on wood prepared with levkas. The scene represents one of the most significant episodes in the life of St. Sergius of Radonezh, among the most venerated saints of the Russian Orthodox tradition. According to the hagiographic account, during a night of prayer the Mother of God appeared to the saint accompanied by the Apostles Peter and John the Evangelist, enveloped in extraordinary light. Struck by the splendor of the apparition, St. Sergius fell to the ground while the Virgin reassured and blessed him, promising protection and support to the monastery and to his disciples. The episode became a symbol of the Mother of God's protection over the monastic community and of the power of prayer. Iconographically, the composition connects the figure of St. Sergius with the luminous presence of the Virgin and the Apostles, translating a moment of intense spiritual significance into image. The subject is closely tied to devotion to St. Sergius and to the religious history of Russian monasticism. The Orthodox icon is executed according to the traditional technique of egg tempera on levkas applied to a wooden panel, and preserves the figurative language characteristic of 19th‑century Russian sacred painting.
Provenance: Central Russia.
Period: 19th century.
Technique: egg tempera on wood prepared with levkas.
Materials: wood, levkas.
Dimensions: 36 x 30 cm.
Subject: Apparition of the Virgin to St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Accompaniment: expert appraisal and velvet presentation case.