First-Class 18th-Century Orthodox Icon of the Resurrection

Russian iconography adopted the scene of “The Rising from the Tomb,” or “The Resurrection of Christ,” from the Western European tradition in the Middle Ages. The scene depicted in this particular icon was especially popular during the Imperial period of Russian history. In the centerpiece, the given antique Orthodox icon of the Resurrection bears the image of the Savior rising over the tomb with the help of the Angel holding the lid, who is depicted to the right. We can also see the Roman soldiers frightened by the sight in the bottom part of the centerpiece and the Myrrh-bearing women standing in a cave on the left. Jesus is shown facing the front, carrying a flag as a symbol of victory in His left hand.

First-Class 18th-Century Orthodox Icon of the Resurrection

The icon features several unique traits that make it an invaluable work of religious art. For example, the Savior is depicted wearing long vestments, while most icons containing the image of “the Rising from the Tomb” depict Him half-naked.

Another curious feature of the given Orthodox icon of the Resurrection is, most likely, a result of the artist’s carelessness. Traditionally, “The Dormition of the Mother of God” includes a scene of the Angel cutting off the hands of Athonius with a sword, which is known as the Athonius Miracle. However, the given icon bears two depictions of Athonius and omits the image of the Angel with a sword. Since we know that in the Imperial Period, Russian icon painters heavily relied on Western examples and even copied them, we can assume that the extra depiction of Athonius was added by mistake.

This gorgeous icon originated in Yaroslav, an important Russian icon painting center. Yaroslav icon painters were known for their precise and delicate paintwork. The masterfully done calligraphic elements also point toward the fact that the icon was created in that area.

This image was painted in the late 18th century and was acquired in 1915 in Moscow. The inscription on the reverse reads that it was blessed in the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Palekh and owned by the Suslovs. There are reasons to suspect that it was the property of either the family of the well-known iconographer Pavel Suslov, or Vasiliy Suslov, an academic whose father was an iconographer. Thanks to the inscription, we can see that this antique Orthodox icon of the Resurrection was highly valued by the people who lived centuries ago.