Icon; 17th century.

Icon; 17th century.
“The Resurrection of Christ and the Cycle of the Major Feasts.”
Painting and gilding on wood panel.
Measurements: 56 x 49.5 x 4.5 cm.
An iconographic composition of a narrative and liturgical nature, organized into numerous panels surrounding a large-scale central scene. In the center is depicted the Resurrection of Christ and his Descent into Hell, with Christ portrayed within a mandorla and surrounded by angels and saints, while an extensive cycle of Gospel scenes and Orthodox Church feasts unfolds around him.The side and upper registers feature various episodes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary, including scenes of the Nativity, the Presentation in the Temple, the Baptism, the Transfiguration, Entry into Jerusalem, Crucifixion, and Resurrection, along with depictions of saints and other scenes related to the liturgical calendar. The composition features a gold background, divided by lines and ornamental frames that articulate the different scenes. The inscriptions in Cyrillic/Church Slavonic that accompany the depictions allow for the identification of the various episodes and figures.
This type of multi-register icon represents one of the most complex forms of Russian religious painting; furthermore, during the 17th century, Russian icon painting underwent a remarkable technical and compositional evolution. Workshops developed increasingly expansive compositions, featuring numerous figures, architectural elements, and narrative episodes, while remaining faithful to the conventions of the iconic language.