Name/Title
St. Seraphim of SarovEntry/Object ID
2005.02.001Description
Small oil icon painted on on mother-of-pearl. Now tinted red-orange (possible from wear or age of the varnish), the image shows St. Seraphim with a full white bears, mustache, and shoulder length hair dressed in robe and epitrachelion/ stole. He holds a rosary in one hand and raises the other in a blessing gesture. A black Cyrillic caption sits above him in the painting. The painting is set in a silver frame with black swirl designs and turquoise enameling. It's backed in purple velvet with a sticker pricing it at $650.Type of Painting
PanelCollection
Betsy Scheuring Icon CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2005.02Source or Donor
Betsy ScheuringAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Betsy ScheuringMade/Created
Date made
circa 1900Place
* Untyped Place
St. Petersburg, RussiaInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Makers MarkLocation
Under bottom edge of silver frameTranscription
84 ИЛ, BKLanguage
CyrillicTranslation
84 silver standard frame, I.L. (unknown assay master), V.K. (makers mark)Lexicon
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
1-13/16 inWidth
1-5/8 inExhibition
Spirit Made Tangible: The Scheuring Icon Collection (2006)Interpretative Labels
Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
"St. Seraphim was born in 1759 at Kursk, where he became a monk at age 18. Years later he left the monastery to live in the wilderness where he befriended wild animals. When he was 45, a band of robbers nearly beat him to death and left St. Seraphim permanently hunched over (as seen in this icon). He spent the rest of his days counseling those who sought his help and living in peace.
Because the blue paint on the silver frame remains in excellent condition, the paint under the yellowed varnish probably matched it when the icon was new. The vine-like border suits the woodsman, whose features (done in a western style) display kindness and sincerity."