An important icon of the fiery ascent of the Prophet Elijah, Novgorod or its environs, 16th century

An important icon of the fiery ascent of the Prophet Elijah, Novgorod or its environs, 16th century

Elijah ascends to Heaven in a chariot of fire borne aloft by two Angels, while his disciple Elisha reaches out for the hem of his master’s fleece; below, the Prophet is shown being woken by an Angel, who brings him bread to sustain him in his monastic exploits (1 Kings 19:5-18)

75.3 by 54.2cm; 29⅝ by 21⅜ in.

Condition Report:
Good condition overall.

Consistent with icons of this age, the panel has undergone cleaning and restoration, perhaps more than once in the late 19th to early 20th century. However, it is in generally good condition with only a few scattered damages to the gesso which have been repaired. This includes a 2cm strip along the bottom border, a small area in the top left corner and one in the central upper border. An oval shaped repaired area in the outer rim of Elijah's fiery chariot below the wheels. These areas of repaired gesso have been painted with craquelure to maintain consistency with the rest of the panel.

Provenance:
A.V. Morozov Collection

Muzei Farfora (Porcelain Museum), no. 182, hand-written label on the reverse

NarKomPros (People’s Committee for Enlightenment) Department of Museum Affairs, no. 5888, hand-written label on the reverse

Tretyakov Gallery, label and painted inventory no. 13907gtg on reverse

Antiquariat, invoice no. 16301

The collection of George R. Hann: this icon was sold by the Bolsheviks to George R. Hann in the 1930s, in whose collection it remained until his death in 1979 and the below sale

Christie's New York, The George R. Hann Collection: Part One, 17-18 April 1980, lot 72

Acquired at the above sale by the present owner