Fiery Ascension of the Prophet Elijah and Other Scenes, The

Name/Title

Fiery Ascension of the Prophet Elijah and Other Scenes, The

Entry/Object ID

2005.02.051

Description

Tempera on flat wooden panel bordered in red, blue, and tan with white distressing. Black Cyrillic caption in the upper middle. The lowered image featured a red fiery streak with a red Pegasus pulling a grey bearded man in green robes in a chariot. Below, a grey bearded man in green robes and red and white cape sits on a stone throne with a black walking staff. On either side of the seated man are four different scenes on small bits of land around a lake.

Type of Painting

Panel

Artwork Details

Medium

Tempera

Collection

Betsy Scheuring Icon Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2005.02

Source or Donor

Betsy Scheuring

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Gift of Betsy Scheuring

Made/Created

Date made

1850 - 1875

Place

* Untyped Place

Central Russia

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Icon

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Symbol, Religious

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Religious Objects

Nomenclature Class

Ceremonial Objects

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Dimensions

Height

8-3/4 in

Width

6-13/16 in

Depth

1-1/2 in

Exhibition

Spirit Made Tangible: The Scheuring Icon Collection (2006)

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

The imagery is in the form of continuous narration or repeated episodes in which Elijah reappears. The prophet is seen in the center resting on a rocky outcropping, surrounded by scenes from his life. To the immediate left, he is shown dividing the River Jordan with his mantle while his successor Elisha (at the right) looks on. In the left background, Elijah is seen being fed by ravens and an angel, and directly opposite this on the right, the prophet makes his ascent into heaven on a fiery, horse-drawn chariot. He throws his mantle (a symbol of his prophetic gifts) down to Elisha.