Antique Russian Quadripartite Icon, 19th century 50x39 cm

Antique Russian quadripartite icon from Moscow, Russia, datable to the 19th century. Created in egg tempera on wood with levkas, it measures 50 x 39.1 cm. The distinctive quadripartite composition gathers four distinct subjects of the Orthodox iconographic tradition on a single panel: the Mother of God of Smolensk (Smolenskaja), Christ Pantocrator, the Archangel Michael with the Miracle of Chonae, and Saint Nicholas of Myra. This division allows Marian, Christological, angelic and hagiographic themes to coexist within the same work. The Mother of God of Smolensk belongs to the Hodegetria type, “the Guide”. The Virgin supports the Christ Child with her left hand and points to Him with her right, symbolically presenting the Son as the way to salvation. Veneration of the Smolensk image is deeply rooted in Russian religious history; its name derives from the city where the original icon arrived in the 12th century. Christ Pantocrator is depicted according to a central model of Eastern sacred art: Christ appears frontally in a solemn attitude, with the right hand raised in blessing and the Gospel in the left. The nimbus traditionally bears the Greek letters referring to “He Who Is”, underscoring Christ’s divine nature. One panel is dedicated to the Archangel Michael and the Miracle of Chonae. According to tradition, the Archangel intervened to save a sanctuary dedicated to him when the waters of a river were diverted to destroy it: Michael cleft the rock, diverting the waters and preserving the sacred site and its guardian, Archippus. The composition is completed by Saint Nicholas of Myra, one of the most venerated saints in the Eastern Christian tradition. He is shown in episcopal vestments, generally with one hand blessing and the Gospel in the other. Bishop of Myra, Saint Nicholas became over the centuries a figure associated with the defense of the faith, protection and healing. The presence of the four subjects makes this icon a synthesis of different aspects of Orthodox spirituality, combining devotion to the Mother of God and to Christ with that directed to the Archangels and the saints. The religious icon is delivered with an expert's report and a velvet presentation box, which complete its documentation and presentation.

Provenance: Moscow, Russia

Period: 19th century

Technique: egg tempera

Materials: wood and levkas

Measurements: 50 x 39.1 cm

Subjects: Mother of God of Smolensk, Christ Pantocrator, Archangel Michael and Miracle of Chonae, Saint Nicholas of Myra

Complete with: expert's report and velvet presentation box.