MacDougall Auctions 8 June 2009

8 June 2009

artist_index / full_catalogue


RUSSIAN, MAKER’S MARK L.M IN CYRILLIC, ST. PETERSBURG, 1857

* 83. THE ANGEL OF THE LORD DELIVERING ST. PETER FROM PRISON WITH A SILVER-GILT OKLAD

RUSSIAN, MAKER’S MARK L.M IN CYRILLIC, ST. PETERSBURG, 1857

32 by 28 cm.
20,000-25,000 pounds


The icon depicts passage 12:10 from the Acts of the Apostles, where the Angel, having rescued St. Peter from prison, leads him outside the iron gates of the city. The Angel is represented in contraposto, with elegant outspread wings, advancing to the left while dragging the apostle from his prison; the latter rising from the ground and looking at the Angel in amazement; two Roman soldiers with lances are laying in the forefront, in the background is a mountain with sparse vegetation, opposite the prison and the city walls, an image of Christ Emmanuel is on the upper, raised border of the panel; the composition is rendered with earthy yet saturated colours, the folds of the garments and outlines highlighted in gold; the border of the elaborate silver-gilt oklad bearing foliate scrolls, its outer rim with floral and strigilated patterns.


Notes on symbols:
* Indicates 5% Import Duty Charge applies.
Ω Indicates 20% Import Duty Charge applies.
§ Indicates Artist's Resale Right applies.
† Indicates Standard VAT scheme applies, and the rate of 20% VAT will be charged on both hammer price and premium.