BEDEUTENDE KÖNIGSTÜR AUS EINER KIRCHENIKONOSTASE
A RARE AND IMPORTANT ROYAL DOOR FROM AN ICONOSTASIS Russian, 2nd half 16th century Tempera on wood panels with kovcheg. Comprising six panels. The upper panels depicting the Annunciation. The frame decorated with two volutes. The angel advancing from the left towards the Mother of God, his right hand blessing her. The latter dressed in the traditional blue chiton and deep red maphorion, standing on a suppedaneum in front of a throne with cushions, holding a skein of red wool, bending slightly forward. One of the celestial rays containing the Holy Spirit beaming towards the Mother of God. Below the Four Evangelists. To the left St. John the Theologian with his disciple Prochoros on the island of Patmos. Both figures, seated on backless benches. The Evangelist in a serpentine manner turning towards to hear the Word of God. His left hand extended in dictation to Prochoros. Against a cave on a rocky landscape. The red winged lion, the Apocalyptic Personification of St. John, appearing in the open segment of heaven above. The evangelists Luke, Matthew and Mark depicted in a scriptorium. The saints also seated on backless benches with footstool, writing in books placed on their laps. On the writing tables ink wells. Against a dense architectural background. The faces rendered in brown tones, the features formed with rosy shades and white highlights. The robust figures delineated by the clinging drapery, complimentary reds and greens standing out against the muted browns and ochre of the background. Restored, losses, overpaintings. 177 x 71 cm.