The Resurrection Icon with Church Feasts and Four Evangelists

The physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the keystone of redemption and one of the most significant moments in Christian history. There is no wonder that the scene of His rebirth is widely depicted in Russian iconography. Masters of all time paid special attention to the subject, trying to signify and convey the profound symbolism of the event most accurately. Their focus is often on the Harrowing of Hades, a specific period of time between the Crucifixion of Jesus and the revival. Russian Icon Collection is proud to hold an exclusive selection of icons of that type, which constitutes a big part of our private collection. Today, we want to present the Resurrection icon with the Church Feasts and Four Evangelists.

The Resurrection Icon with Church Feasts and Four Evangelists

The given Resurrection icon is painted with gesso and tempera on one wooden panel with no incut centerpiece or support boards. Fortunately, it has been preserved in pristine condition, except for insignificant fallouts of paint on the borders. On the reverse side of the piece, you can see several pencil and ink inscriptions.

The scene of the Resurrection is surrounded by the Twelver Great Feasts, the main feasts of the liturgical year. The composition complexity is one of the reasons why this type of religious painting was so popular and hence requested by churches and private prayers. Apart from religious traditions, such icons were used by ordinary peasants and farmers, in particular. The fact is that the icon played the role of an agricultural calendar that closely imitated the natural cycle of the year. It should also be mentioned that the Orthodox Church year begins on September 1, while all other dates in the calendar depend on the date of Pascha.

Traditionally, the centerpiece of the Resurrection icon belongs to the most vital scene of Jesus being raised from the dead. The scene consists of two parts: you can see the “Rising from the Tomb” scene, which is directly over the “Harrowing of Hades.” In the given image, the oval in the center is also surrounded by the images of the Four Evangelists: Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John the Theologian. Exquisite artistry, close historical connection to folk art, and complex yet exciting composition explain what made such icons valued and popular back in the 19th century. The presented Resurrection icon is indeed a valuable treasure of our collection.