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.
