Antique Russian icon of St Nicholas of Myra, 19th century, 26x21 cm
Religious icon of Saint Nicholas of Myra. Half-length representation according to the Orthodox iconographic tradition: the saint wears episcopal vestments and holds the Gospel in his left hand.
He appears in a blessing gesture, wearing the omophorion decorated with crosses, a distinctive sign of episcopal dignity in sacred painting. The face shows well-defined features: high forehead, marked wrinkles, thick eyebrows, short beard and a concentrated gaze — consistent with Byzantine and Russian cano...
Info and features
Religious icon of Saint Nicholas of Myra. Half-length representation according to the Orthodox iconographic tradition: the saint wears episcopal vestments and holds the Gospel in his left hand.
He appears in a blessing gesture, wearing the omophorion decorated with crosses, a distinctive sign of episcopal dignity in sacred painting. The face shows well-defined features: high forehead, marked wrinkles, thick eyebrows, short beard and a concentrated gaze — consistent with Byzantine and Russian canons. The hagiographic narrative alludes to the translation of the relics from Myra to Bari in 1087 and to the saint's role in defending the faith at the Council of Nicaea. Created in Moscow using egg tempera on a gold ground, reflecting a traditional technique of the Russian school. The painted surface displays a gold background, compact chromatic layers and the linear drawing typical of devotional icons.
- Provenance: Moscow, Russia
- Technique: egg tempera on gold ground
- Materials: wooden panel
- Measurements: 28x21 cm
- Period: late 19th century
Object intended for collectors and devotion, referring to the Eastern Christian tradition.