Antique Russian icon, mid-18th century, Descent into Hell, 12.5x10.2 in
Antique Russian icon, mid-18th century, Descent into Hell, 12.5x10.2 in.
Antique Russian icon depicting the Descent into Hell of Christ, originating from Northern Russia and datable to the mid-18th century. The panel measures 31.8x26 cm and is painted in egg tempera on wood with levkas.
The scene represents a central theme of Orthodox theology: Christ descends into Hell, breaks the power of death and frees the souls of the righteous. At the centre Christ appears in a luminous garment, grasping Ada...
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Antique Russian icon, mid-18th century, Descent into Hell, 12.5x10.2 in.
Antique Russian icon depicting the Descent into Hell of Christ, originating from Northern Russia and datable to the mid-18th century. The panel measures 31.8x26 cm and is painted in egg tempera on wood with levkas.
The scene represents a central theme of Orthodox theology: Christ descends into Hell, breaks the power of death and frees the souls of the righteous. At the centre Christ appears in a luminous garment, grasping Adam's hand and lifting him from the darkness, a gesture that expresses the redemption of all humanity.
Adam and Eve appear at the sides, often in a symmetrical arrangement: Eve is traditionally shown with her hands covered in a sign of adoration, while Adam is depicted kneeling and wrapped in a broad cloak. The movement by which Christ draws him toward Himself makes the salvific meaning of the episode immediately visible.
From the 18th century, especially in Russia, this iconography assumed a particularly important role within cycles dedicated to the Great Feasts, frequently occupying the central position as an image of Easter understood as the fulfilment and synthesis of the entire Christian mystery. The broken rock and the descent into the earth symbolically recall Christ's victory over evil, sin and death, transforming the icon into a powerful image of hope and resurrection.
The icon is accompanied by an expert appraisal and presented in a velvet case.
Provenance: Northern Russia.
Period: mid-18th century.
Technique: egg tempera.
Materials: wood and levkas.
Dimensions: 12.5x10.2 in.
Subject: Descent into Hell of Christ.
Contents: expert appraisal and velvet case.