Russian icon. Moscow, late XVIII-early XIX century.

Russian icon. Moscow, late 18th-early 19th century.
"Christ enthroned with the Virgin and St. John the Baptist."
Egg tempera and gesso on panel.
It has slight lack of polychrome.
Measurements: 70 x 52 cm.

Icon that represents the traditional Deesis, one of the central compositions of the orthodox iconography. In the center Christ Pantocrator appears enthroned, holding the open Gospel and blessing with the right hand. On both sides are placed, in an attitude of intercession and slightly inclined towards Him, the Virgin Mary (MP ΘΥ) and St. John the Baptist, the Forerunner, who implore for humanity before Christ the Judge.

Inscriptions in Cyrillic characters identify the figures: IC XC above Christ, MP ΘΥ for the Mother of God and the corresponding inscription for St. John the Baptist. The composition, with a plain golden background and stylized figures with defined contours, corresponds to the devotional production of the late Muscovite workshops, where the classical iconographic tradition was maintained with a refined execution and sober chromaticism.