Ancient Russian icon of Saint Nicetas the Great Martyr, 19th century, 12.4x10.6 in
Ancient Russian icon of Saint Nicetas the Great Martyr, 19th century, 12.4x10.6 in.
Ancient Russian icon depicting Saint Nicetas the Goth, from Moscow, Russia, datable to the 19th century. The work measures 12.4x10.6 in and is executed in egg tempera on wood with levkas.
Saint Nicetas was one of the warrior-martyrs particularly venerated in the Byzantine world and in Russia. According to tradition he was of Gothic origin, converted to Christianity and suffered martyrdom in 370.
In Russian devotion ...
Info and features
Ancient Russian icon of Saint Nicetas the Great Martyr, 19th century, 12.4x10.6 in.
Ancient Russian icon depicting Saint Nicetas the Goth, from Moscow, Russia, datable to the 19th century. The work measures 12.4x10.6 in and is executed in egg tempera on wood with levkas.
Saint Nicetas was one of the warrior-martyrs particularly venerated in the Byzantine world and in Russia. According to tradition he was of Gothic origin, converted to Christianity and suffered martyrdom in 370.
In Russian devotion his figure acquired particular significance following the spread, between the 15th and 16th centuries, of an apocryphal account of his martyrdom. In that tradition the saint is remembered for his struggle against the forces of evil and was often invoked as a protector against demons, depicted in a victorious attitude.
The central image shows Saint Nicetas in armour, wrapped in a cinnabar-red cloak. In his right hand he holds the martyr's cross, while in his left he carries a warrior's shield, attributes that unite the military and spiritual dimensions of his figure.
The elongated proportions, the movement of the cloak and the richness of the vestments and armour recall Byzantine iconographic models of the 14th-15th centuries, later reinterpreted according to the taste of the Russian pictorial tradition.
The icon is accompanied by an expert appraisal and a velvet case, which complete its documentation and presentation.
Provenance: Moscow, Russia
Period: 19th century
Technique: egg tempera
Materials: wood and levkas
Dimensions: 12.4x10.6 in
Subject: Saint Nicetas the Great Martyr
Contents: expert appraisal and velvet case.