01 Religious Icon, A Russian icon of the holy empress Saint Alexandra, with footnotes #35

Unknown iconographer

The Holy Empress Saint Alexandra

With gilded silver oklad, by Ovchinnikov, Moscow, c. 1883

20 1/2 x 10 1/2 in., 52 x 26.7 cm

Private collection

The Saint shown standing at full length, richly dressed in gem- and pearl-studded clothing and crown, and holding a cross, with Christ shown in the clouds above her

Saint Alexandra was the reputed wife of Emperor Diocletian, from 284 until his abdication in 305,  and secretly converted to Christianity. Jacobus de Voragine listing her name as “Alexandria” describes her as the wife of Dacian, the Roman Prefect who persecuted Saint Caprasius of Agen and Saint Maginus. While Saint George was being tortured, Alexandra went to the arena, bowed before him, and professed her faith openly. When she questioned whether she was worthy of paradise and martyrdom without being baptized, Saint George told her, “Do not fear, for your blood will baptize you.” She was denounced as a Christian and imprisoned on her husband's orders in Nicomedia, then sentenced to death.

Her husband was so outraged by her conversion that he is said to have uttered, “What! Even thou hast fallen under their spell!”. Alexandra quietly accepted her sentence and prayed as the guards walked her to the place of execution. She asked if she could rest for a moment. The guards allowed this. She rested by the place of Saint George's execution at Nicomedia's City Wall. More on St. Alexandra

Pavel Akimovich Ovchinnikov was the bondman of Prince Volkonsky. He showed talent for drawing while being a child. Being a teenager he was sent to Moscow for eight years as an apprentice in the workshop, manufacturing gold and silver items, which belonged to his brother A.A. Ovchinnikov. As a brilliant student, P. Ovchinnikov was manumitted. In 1850, he married. Taking 1000 rubles as his wife dowry he opened a workshop which later turned into one of the major jewellery factories in Moscow. More on Pavel Akimovich Ovchinnikov

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01 Religious Icon, A Russian icon of Christ Pantocrator, with footnotes #34

Unknown artist

Christ Pantocrator

Oil/tempera on panel, gilded silver, enamel

10 5/8 x 8 7/8 in., 27 x 23.5 cm

Private collection

In Christian iconography, Christ Pantocrator is a specific depiction of Christ. Pantocrator or Pantokrator, usually translated as "Almighty" or "all-powerful", is derived from one of many names of God in Judaism.

The Pantokrator, largely an Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic theological conception, is less common under that name in Western (Roman) Catholicism and largely unknown to most Protestants. In the West, the equivalent image in art is known as Christ in Majesty, which developed a rather different iconography. Christ Pantocrator has come to suggest Christ as a mild but stern, all-powerful judge of humanity. More on Christ Pantocrator

Please visit my other blogs: Art Collector, Mythology, Marine Art, Portrait of a Lady, The Orientalist, Art of the Nude and The Canals of Venice, Middle East Artists, 365 Saints, 365 Days, and Biblical Icons, also visit my Boards on Pinterest

Images are copyright of their respective owners, assignees or others. Some Images may be subject to copyright

I don't own any of these images - credit is always given when due unless it is unknown to me. if I post your images without your permission, please tell me.

I do not sell art, art prints, framed posters or reproductions. Ads are shown only to compensate the hosting expenses.

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