Lot 119
Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. 19th century CE. Brilliantly painted in egg tempera and gold leaf on wood, an arch-shaped icon depicting the Crucifixion with bystanders, a pair of mourning angels at the upper end of the Cross, and God the Father flanked by the sun and moon above. Notice that the celestial beings float upon meticulously stylized clouds, attesting to the artistry of the painter. The skull at the foot of the Cross alludes to Golgotha (the place of the skull) which also represents the skull of Adam. In the background is a rendering of the city walls and gates of Jerusalem. The sacred composition is framed by a floral border, finely rendered with needle marks and gold leaf. A wonderful example, intriguing for its artistry and religious iconography. Size: 15" W x 15.75" H (38.1 cm x 40 cm)
Just who stands beside the Cross in this depiction of the Crucifixion? According to Curator Jeanne Marie Warzeski, in their respective Gospels, all four evangelists identify several women who were present at the Crucifixion; however, only the Gospel of John mentions the presence of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Therefore, this icon, which shows the Mother of Jesus closest to the Cross, is most likely describing John's account. Mary is shown in the company of two other women standing to the left of the Cross. The women next to her are most likely Mary Magdalene and Mary, the wife of Clopas , as John mentions his mothers sister and Mary Magdalene in his account. On the other side of the Cross is John, Joseph of Arimathea, and Longinus, the Centurion who confessed that Surely this was the Son of God, recognizing the divinity of Christ. This is interesting as most Crucifixion icons only show two men to the right. All the individuals at the foot of the Cross are depicted as saints.
The depiction of the city walls and gates of Jerusalem in the background is significant as Jesus was crucified outside the gate. According to Warzeski, "This is a reference to the scapegoat ritual during the Day of Atonement where the scapegoat carries the sins of the people outside the camp. This icon also shows the sun darkened and the moon colored red. According to Warzeski, "These symbols echo the passage in Revelation 6:12-13 where the sun turned black and the moon turned red, which some believe echo events at the Cross during Christs death as recorded by the Evangelists. In Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:3, and Luke 23:44-45, the sun and the moon are described as darkening at the moment of Crucifixion, because the death of Jesus is a cosmic event." Expounding upon Golgotha, Warzeski states, "According to the Bible Jesus was buried at Golgotha, 'the place of the skull.' In Christian tradition that skull is the skull of Adam, who was also the first human being to die. Christ is called the second Adam by the Apostle Paul. Thus Jesus is being crucified directly over Adams tomb. Jesus is now replacing Adam as the New Adam, i.e. a new humanity."
Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, these painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Icons are not worshiped, but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual's prayer to God. As such they are truly "windows into heaven."
Provenance: ex-Francis & Lilly Robicsek collection, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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#119518
- Condition: Wear and losses to the border, Cross, and various areas of the surface as shown. Age cracks. Areas of repainting. One back slat missing.
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