160. Icon on wood, "Transfiguration", Wallachia, Brâncoveanu school, era of Constantin Brâncoveanu, beginning of the 18th century, very rare, collectible piece

Starting price

EUR 1.400

Sold

EUR 2.250

Session

Wed, 11 December 2024 18:00

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The compositional scheme is according to Erminia. On an ochre-gold background, at the top, and a stylized mountain landscape, at the bottom of the icon, Jesus Christ is depicted in the center of the composition, standing in shining vestments and surrounded by a mandorla. He blesses with his right hand and holds with his left the rotulus. He is flanked by Prophet Elijah and Prophet Moses (with the Tablets of the Law), depicted standing on the crest of stylized mountains. At the bottom of the composition are depicted the three Apostles who accompanied Jesus to Mount Tabor - Peter, John and James, who at the moment of His Transfiguration, were cast down to the ground. The heightened frame of the icon is painted on the edge in ochre-red and gold. The composition is balanced, the harmonious movement is marked by an intense experience of the moment. The characters are depicted in accordance with the style of Brâncovenesc painting regarding the typology of the faces and the drapery of the clothes. The chromatics dominated by red, blue and ochre which vibrates on the gold of the background gives the painting a note of splendor and wealth specific to the Brâncovenesc style, practiced in Wallachia at the beginning of the 18th century. (A.D.)

Dimensions

width 25.5 cm, height 38 cm

Description

tempera and gold leaf on wood

Research information

The Transfiguration of the Lord is celebrated on August 6th. This holiday recalls the miracle that took place on Mount Tabor, where Christ revealed His divinity through the human nature He assumed. The Evangelist Matthew says "And His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light" (Matthew 17, 2), while the Evangelist Mark says that His garments became white as snow (Mark 9.3). The holiday dates back to the beginning of the 4th century, when the Holy Empress Helena built a church on Mount Tabor. This holiday begins to be mentioned in documents from the first half of the 5th century. In the West, the feast of the Transfiguration became more widespread later, by the decision taken by Pope Callist III as a thank you for the victory of the Christians over the Turks at Belgrade, in 1456.

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