VERY FINE & UNIQUE RUSSIAN ICON, 18TH C

VERY FINE & UNIQUE RUSSIAN ICON, 18TH C. The "Removal From the Cross" depicts Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus taking the body of Christ down from the cross, while The Mother of God (Mary) and other women look on. This beautifully executed painting is an exact copy of one produced by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). His painting, titled "Descent from the Cross" was executed for the Antwerp Cathedral between 1610 and 1611. Were it not for the Slavonic inscription at the top of this icon, it would be difficult to ascribe it to the Russian School, however the wood panel is also constructed like typical icons of the period. Increased numbers of Russians traveling abroad, along with the influx of foreign travelers, brought illustrated bibles and prints into a formerly isolated Russia. Subsequently, Western art became popular quickly. One could speculate that this icon was commissioned by a wealthy patron who had seen the original while traveling in Western Europe. 12.25 inches x 9 inches (31 x 22.75 cm).

Provenance:
A private American collection since 1999 or before.

Literature:
Pope John Paul II Cultural Center Windows into Heaven, Russian Icons, 1550-1917, Washington D.C. 2003, exhibition catalog, where illustrated.
Knights of Columbus Museum Holy Icons of Mother Russia New Haven, Connecticut, 2002-2003, exhibition catalog, where illustrated.

Exhibited:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A. Ave Maria Foundation "Heaven on Earth, The Holy Art of Imperial Russia 1650-1917" February 7, 2001-March 21, 2001
Topeka, Kansas, U.S.A. Heartland Orthodox Christian Museum "Spiritual Treasures of Czarist Russia" September 1, 2001-October 1, 2001
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. Pontifical College Josephinum "Heaven on Earth" icon exhibition January 11, 2002-February 10, 2002
New Haven, Connecticut U.S.A. Knights of Columbus Museum, "Holy Icons of Mother Russia" icon exhibition October 2, 2002-January 31, 2003.
Washington D.C. U.S.A. Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, "Windows into Heaven, Russian Icons, 1550-1917" June 5th, 2003-August 7th, 2028

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