Icoon - Hout, Tempera - Nicolaas de Wonderwerker

Russia, egg tempera on chalk ground, painted on wooden panel.
19th Century

Oklad in silverered metal


Exquisite depiction of Saint Nicholas which speaks wonders about the cleric artist who patiently crafted it in such detail.

It shows signs of western influence, seen in the realism of the face, as it was typical of the end of the 19th Century Russia, which started to open the canon to western influence.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker:
He was a historic 4th-century Saint and the Greek Bishop of Myra. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker.

He is the patron Saint of Russia and its most famous icon.

Also, he had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as was common for early Christian saints. His feast day is 6 December.


Measurements

18x12 cm.

Condition:
In good condition,painting shows signs of craquelure as expected.

Professionally packed and shipped with upmost care. This increases the shipping cost slightly but it reassures that it arrives without damages.