THE ASCENSION - Lot 276

THE ASCENSION Central Russia, mid-19th century. Tempera on panel covered with silver leaf. A particularly rare iconography, in which the Ascension of Christ occupies the upper third of the icon, highlighting the Marian cycle, articulated around the ship sailing to Ephesus, with the Mother of God, Saint Peter and Saint John the Theologian, the ship's mast creating the central axis with Christ in the cloud. The Mother of God symbolizes the Church, through which Christ remains present in the sacraments. (Jn 19:25-28) The icon is painted in a rich palette of warm, contrasting hues, on a background of silver leaf overlaid with gold varnish. The arch-shaped border, which theatricalizes the scene, is engraved with The arch-shaped border, which dramatizes the scene, is engraved with geometrical motifs and foliage, imitating the decoration of rich rizas decorated with polychrome enamels in the taste of the "Slavonic Renaissance", which was very fashionable at the time. Good overall condition, no cracks, heavy oxidation of the original varnish varnish, wear and minor wear. 26 x 31 cm