Name/Title
Extended Deesis, TheEntry/Object ID
2005.02.107Description
Tempera painting on curved wooden panel bordered in red, green, and mustard yellow before lowered image. The Image features a seated Christ clothed in red and green robes with an open gospel in one hand and the other held up in the blessing gesture. On the left of Christ, Mary stands with her head bowed clothed in red and blue robes and opposite of her is John the Baptist clothes in short blue and grey-green robes. All three of these central figures have gold leaf halos. Six figures stand in the back: two angels, three men, and one woman all with black Cyrillic captioning.Type of Painting
PanelCollection
Betsy Scheuring Icon CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2005.02Source or Donor
Betsy ScheuringAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Betsy ScheuringMade/Created
Time Period
17th CenturyPlace
* Untyped Place
Pskov School, Northern RussiaLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
IconNomenclature Primary Object Term
Symbol, ReligiousNomenclature Sub-Class
Religious ObjectsNomenclature Class
Ceremonial ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsDimensions
Height
12-1/4 inWidth
10-3/4 inDepth
1-1/2 inExhibition
Spirit Made Tangible: The Scheuring Icon Collection (2006)Interpretative Labels
Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
This type of icon, called the Deesis (meaning “Prayer” in Greek) is often found on an iconostasis or icon screen separating the congregation from the sanctuary in Orthodox churches. Christ appears enthroned in the center as the “Lord Almighty,” holding an open Gospel with one hand and making a sign of benediction with the other. To the left is the Virgin Mary and on the right is John the Forerunner (Baptist). The latter two figures act as intercessors beseeching the Lord for his mercy toward humanity. Directly behind Christ are the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, and completing the scene are John the Apostle, St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Paraskevia. The style of this icon is influenced by earlier Byzantine works with an emphasis on linearity and with little effort to create an illusion of depth. The artist’s use of dark colors suggests that the icon was produced in the Northern School of Pskov.