Lot number 1594 - Auction 142
SEHR FEINE IKONE IKONE MIT DER GEBURT CHRISTI

A VERY FINE ICON NARRATING THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST Russian, Yaroslavl, 17th century Tempera on wood panel with double kovcheg. Finely executed against a gold ground. This remarkably detailed icon shows the Nativity of Christ in the cave above, surrounded by its subsequent episodes: at the upper corners the coming of the Magi led by the star. The hills act as natural divisions between the represented scenes. At the left border the Adoration of the Magi, at the right the flight into Egypt. The lower part depicting the Magi at Herod's palace and lastly the Massacre of the Innocents. This panel is unique in the Orthodox artistic production, because of the rarity of its subject and the high quality of its painting, as exemplified on the elaborate garments of the figures. On the revese traces of a Cyrillic inscription. 31.2 x 27 cm.