#religiousiconography

The multi-national auction house Heritage Auctions will sell a series of antique Russian icons at its upcoming auction on December 9. The authentic pieces come from the collection of the American actor Eugene Iglesias and include images of Christ the Pantocrator, St. Nicholas, and Madonna and Child, among others. You can take a look at some of the highlights and learn more about the upcoming auction on our blog. Photo courtesy of Heritage Auctions

🎉SOLD🎉 Just picked up this nice antique catholic family bible published in 1884 by The American Wringer Co, New York. Bible is in rough shape but still a fantastic piece for anyone’s collection. The first few hundred pages are torn from the binding but are still present. Binding has fallen off one side of the Bible. Gold leaf leather binding and page ends. 2 brass clasps with cut out of Cross. Over 1800 pages and weighs over 13 lbs (Message me if you would like to see more photos). This Holy Bible includes the Entire Canonical Scriptures translated from The Latin Vulgar by Douay and Rheims with Useful Notes by Haydock and Husenbeth. Plus an Illustrated and Comphrensive Dictionary. The book is beautifully illustrated with numerous full color and black white steel plate engravings and color maps of the Holy Land, including Jesus’ journeys and color Stations of the Cross. ($90 shipped in the US) most of the cost is shipping this big old thing. Comment or message if interested! #maniacalmedical #Oddities #obscure #antiquebible #antiques #bible #vintagebooks #curio #bibles #holybible #antiqueillustration #illustration #cabinetofcuriosities #oddity #tattoo #clevelandoddities #oldbooks #antiquebooks #holybibles #antiquebook #antiquereligious #rarebooks #antiquarianbooks #antiquarian #religious #religiousiconography #crucifix #rosary

My most “secret” painting: “Self-Portrait with Buddha”. From Buddha Series. I worked on this piece circa 2005, but never once shown it in public! I was a few years out of art school and recently relocated to the CT shore. I would work, walk to the beach every day and then just paint in secret! It wasn’t until 2009 when a big sale to a public collection gave me the mojo to start showing and selling my art again 😉 #art #painting #buddha #oilpainting #canvaspainting #portraitpainting #religiousiconography #contemporaryart

The featured antique icon of the Resurrection represents the Baroque style in Russian iconography. The shapes of heavily built figures, expressive colors, and natural motifs on a silver oklad are some of the visible traits of the movement. The icon was painted in Central Russia in the middle of the 18th century when Baroque started falling behind under the pressure of the Classical era. In some sense, this invaluable part of our collection is the remnant of the past glory. Find out more about its composition and the secrets of its oklad in our latest blog post.

The featured holy icon was painted in the first half – mid-15th century in the Church of St. George, Novgorod. As you see in the picture, it contains four different scenes, each bearing a religious symbolism important for the correct interpretation of the sacred image. In the icon, there are scenes of the Resurrection of Lazarus, the Holy Trinity, Candlemas, and Saint John the Evangelist Dictating to Prochorus. It is not often that you see works with such a combination of miniature icons at the same time.

According to the Gospel of Luke, Zechariah got God’s announcement that he and his aged wife, Elizabeth, would have a son whose mission would be to prepare Israel for the coming of the Messiah. That boy was John the Baptist, and now you see the antique Russian icon depicting the scene of the birth of the famous preacher. The curious fact is that the baby was supposed to be named after his father, but Elizabeth objected and stated that his name would be “John.” The original version of the icon dates back to 1475-1500.

The featured icons are painted by Michael Mirianashvili, a 36-year-old Georgian artist specializing in portrait art and icon painting. He first learned about iconography in his student years when the young painter became a member of a parish. At the time, the temple that he attended was being painted, which allowed Michael to meet a professional fresco painter and become his assistant. Nowadays, the iconographer aims to find more clients and sell his works globally. Whether you need a high-quality copy of a famous antique icon or want a custom piece for your family, his services will be right up your alley.

The Orthodox Resurrection icon that you can see in the picture is of special importance. Apart from traditional scenes of the Rising from the Tomb and the Harrowing of Hades in the center, it features the yearly Menaion, a compilation of the images of the saints venerated in a particular month. What makes this icon unique is that you see an actual yearly calendar, which explains the dense and overcrowded composition of the work. The piece is believed to have been made in one of the workshops in Palekh in the second quarter of the 19th century.