Lot number 2245 - Auction 142
SEHR FEINE, SIGNIERTE UND DATIERTE IKONE MIT DEN HEILIGEN ADRIAN UND NATALIA

A VERY FINE SIGNED AND DATED ICON SHOWING STS. ADRIAN AND NATALIYA Russian, Vassily Guryanov (attributed), dated 1887 Tempera on wood panel with double kovcheg. The haloes made of gold. At the top edge, the icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir is presented by two angels. The icon finely painted with extensive ornamental detail and chrysography. Traces of a Cyrillic inscription on the lower right border. Minor areas of retouching. 35.3 x 31.1 cm. The Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia were married one year before their martyrdom and lived in Nicomedia during the reign of Emperor Maximian (305-311). During a wave of persecution against Christians, 23 believers were captured and tortured. Adrian, the head of the praetorium, was deeply moved by their courage and faith, and decided to also confess his faith in Christ. Despite the emperor's pleas for him to renounce his faith, Adrian remained steadfast and was imprisoned. His wife Natalia, secretly a Christian herself, joyfully supported and encouraged him in his faith. Adrian was brutally tortured and eventually executed. Natalia, who stood by her husband throughout his suffering, escaped a forced marriage to a pagan and soon passed away in the Lord, as Adrian had foretold to her in a dream.