MacDougall's Russian Art Auctions 1 December 2011
1 December 2011
* 523. THE FEODOROVSKAYA MOTHER OF GOD WITH TWELVE SCENES OF THE ICON'S LEGEND
KOSTROMA, END OF THE 18TH TO FIRST QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY
66 by 52 cm.
15,000-20,000 GBP
THE CONTENTS OF THE SCENES: 1. St.Theodore Stratelates brings the icon of the Mother of God to Kostroma; 2. Vasiliy Kvashnya, Prince of Kostroma, sees the icon in a tree whilst hunting; 3. The icon is translated in sacred procession to the church of Theodore Stratelates in Kostroma; 4. Prayers are offered before the icon in the church; 5. Fire in the church; 6. The icon is found unharmed after the fire; 7. The icon is translated to a new church, built of stone; 8. Another church fire and the icon is saved by being borne aloft into the air; 9. Victory over the Tatar enemy by virtue of the icon’s intercession; 10. Joseph is healed of palsy before the icon; 11. A youth is healed of possession by demons before the icon; 12. Tatiana is healed of possession by demons before the icon.
The original icon of the Feodorovskaya Mother of God is the Protectress of the City of Kostroma and was created around the mid-13th century and kept in Kostroma’s main cathedral. It was revered throughout Russia after the early 17th century when Mikhail Feodorovich, the first Romanov Tsar, was blessed by it. The iconography of the icon’s miracles was developed according to the established Legend in the latter 17th century. Initially, the miracle scenes related to early 13th century events and the icon’s history, but later scenes included the wonders it had worked from 1636 to 1646.
17th century Feodorovskaya icons depict the Legend in twenty scenes, but 18th century abbreviated versions depict only twelve scenes, as with our icon.
The icon was created in Kostroma, which is associated with a vast majority of similar works. The painting style conforms to late 18th-early 19th century classicism, as shown by the elongated figure proportions, the 17th century techniques for writing faces and the particular colours used. This artefact is a shining example of highly professional icon painting from Kostroma in the modern age.
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.