Russia (first half 19th century), An icon of 'Saint Nicholas the miracle worker'

Russia (first half 19th century), An icon of 'Saint Nicholas the miracle worker'

A polychromed and gilded image of St Nicholas with two medallions depicting Christ and Mary. Double rifled on the reverse. Nicholas is depicted as Christ Pantokrator: with his right hand he makes a gesture of blessing and in his left hand he holds the open Bible. This Bible is an attribute of the Episcopal Office, just like the Omophorion (the green bishop's stool with a cross over its shoulders). Saint Nicholas is one of the most venerated saints of the Orthodox Church and his feast day is celebrated on December 6. He was a bishop in Myra and according to tradition he was captured and imprisoned by Emperor Diocletian. There Christ and Mary visited him and returned to him the attributes of the episcopal office that had been taken from him (see medallions on either side). He was rehabilitated under Constantine the Great. He died in the year 343 and was buried in Myra. Nicholas is among other things the patron of sailors and merchants, ladies of easy virtue, the family and especially children and the city of Amsterdam. He is also the patron saint of the poor and the downtrodden.

Oil on gold leaf on panel, 44,5 x 37 cm.