Large Antique Russian Icon, Annual Menologion of the Orthodox Liturgical Calendar, 18th–19th century, 104x78 cm
Monumental antique Russian icon depicting the Annual Menologion of the Orthodox liturgical calendar, executed in the iconographic tradition of the Old Believers of Central Russia. This large calendar-icon presents the saints and the principal feasts of the entire Orthodox liturgical year, organised by months and major celebrations. The composition is notable for its rich pictorial detail and numerous sacred scenes and saintly figures identifiable by ecclesiastical Cyrillic inscriptions. The cent...
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Monumental antique Russian icon depicting the Annual Menologion of the Orthodox liturgical calendar, executed in the iconographic tradition of the Old Believers of Central Russia. This large calendar-icon presents the saints and the principal feasts of the entire Orthodox liturgical year, organised by months and major celebrations. The composition is notable for its rich pictorial detail and numerous sacred scenes and saintly figures identifiable by ecclesiastical Cyrillic inscriptions. The central register contains the sixteen Great Feasts of the Orthodox tradition, with a central double depiction of the Resurrection of Christ, the Resurrection together with the Harrowing of Hades and the emergence from the tomb, regarded as the focal event of the liturgical year. Surrounding the central scene are key episodes of salvation history, including: the Trinity of the Old Testament; the Nativity of the Virgin; the Presentation of the Mother of God at the Temple; the Annunciation; the Nativity of Christ; the Baptism of Jesus; the Presentation at the Temple; the Resurrection of Lazarus; the Entry into Jerusalem; the Doubt of Saint Thomas; the Ascension; Pentecost; the Transfiguration; the Dormition of the Mother of God; the Exaltation of the Cross; and the Pokrov (Protection of the Mother of God). The outer band depicts the twelve liturgical months, each organized in registers containing the saints and the daily feasts; every day is annotated with red and black ecclesiastical Cyrillic inscriptions indicating the corresponding commemorations. According to Orthodox tradition the liturgical year begins with September, which is placed in the upper left corner of the icon. A large-scale, visually striking work originating from a monastic context and closely connected to the spiritual and liturgical tradition of Russian Orthodoxy. Title: Annual Menologion with the 16 Feasts. School: Old Believers, Central Russia. Provenance: Russian monastic milieu. Technique: egg tempera. Materials: wooden panel prepared with levkas. Dimensions: 104 x 78 cm. Date: 18th–19th century.