Russian 17th century icon depicting Saint Marc writing his gospel. The Holy Gospelwriter is placed in front of a stylized architectural ensemble, resembling a monastry. Between the towers of the buildings, inspired on earlier Novogrod iconography, the hangs a so called velum, a draped piece of cloth, which symbolized that the depicted scene happens inside. The desk, the chair and the footstool that Saint Marc is using are painted in reversed perspective contrary to Western perspective. This symbolizes that the spiritual reality of the icon is the center of the Universe not our earthly reality. The blue robe of Saint Marc has strong white highlights and the furniture that Saint Marc uses beautyfull chrysography ( writing in gold). This icon is in remarkable good state for its age and shows the unworldly beauty of icons painted in monastry workshops by monks, whose daily live was constant prayer. This ancient art is almost modern and the icon lover understands how artists as Malevich were inspired by this art. On the back one older sponka is missing. The panel has some historical treated bora holes. Size 54 x 37 cm.