26 November 2014 Russian Art Auctions
26 November 2014
414. CHRIST PANTOCRATOR "ABOVE THE SHOULDER"
ESTONIA, STAMP OF THE GAVRIIL FROLOV’S WORKSHOP ON THE REVERSE, EARLY 20TH CENTURY
89 by 72.5 cm.
12,000–18,000 GBP
Related literature: For a similar work, see Yu. Manuilov, Ikona staroverov Prichudya: Gavriil Efimovich Frolov i ego masterskaya, Tallinn, 2013, pp. 136, 259, cat. 141.
This expressive, monumental image of Christ Pantocrator was created at the start of the 20th century in the famed Old Believer icon workshop of Gavriil Frolov (1856–1930), which functioned for over 30 years in the Estonian village of Raya. The workshop was a unique institution in the history of late iconography. Frolov kept alive the traditions of ancient Russian icon painting and the canons of the Old Believers’ but also developed his own style. There is a close similarity between this icon and the large Pantocrator icon for use in church, published in the catalogue Icons of the Old Believers of Prichudye: Gavriil Efimovich Frolov and his Icon Painting Workshop. However the present icon is more expressive, with its arched brows and eyes close to the bridge of the nose, which lends a severe, almost threatening appearance to Christ’s face, reminiscent of the ancient icon Saviour of the Bright Eye.
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.