RUSSIAN ICON OF SAINT MARTYR ANTONINA. RUSSIA, TURN OF THE 19TH-20TH CENTURY

A small personal icon depicting Saint Martyr Antonina, created in Russia at the turn of the 19th-20th century, represents a characteristic example of the late Russian icon-painting tradition influenced by academic realist painting. The saint is depicted half-length, in a slight three-quarter turn, holding the martyr’s cross in her hands. The image is distinguished by the soft plastic modelling of the face and hands, attention to the individualisation of features, and a calm spiritual concentration characteristic of Russian religious painting of the late 19th century. The painted image is executed against a rich golden background with finely detailed ornamental decoration. The intricate vegetal ornamentation and structured composition of the gilded field emphasise the solemn character of the image and correspond to the artistic methods of Russian icon-painting workshops of the late Historicist period. The combination of traditional Orthodox iconography with a volumetric interpretation of the figure reflects the aesthetic tendencies of ecclesiastical art at the turn of the 19th-20th century. Inscription: The front side bears the identifying inscription: “St. Martyr Antonina”. Dimensions: 17 × 14 cm. Condition: Good condition, with natural signs of age and use.

Estimate:£251.01

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