Price Upon Request
This piece is offered privately. Contact us for pricing, provenance, and to arrange a viewing.
A striking 19th-century Russian icon depicting the Fiery Ascent of the Prophet Elijah, one of the most dramatic and spiritually significant narratives in traditional Russian religious art. The upper composition portrays the Prophet Elijah ascending triumphantly toward heaven in a magnificent fiery chariot drawn by powerful horses, surrounded by a radiant red celestial field, while an angel guides his miraculous journey. Below, several episodes from the prophet’s life unfold within a mountainous landscape, including his encounter with his disciple Elisha, who receives Elijah’s mantle as a symbol of prophetic succession. The carefully arranged narrative scenes reflect the biblical account of Elijah’s extraordinary ascent and his enduring spiritual legacy. Hand-painted in tempera on levkas on a traditional wooden panel, the icon is distinguished by its vivid red celestial composition, expressive figures, and finely executed narrative details. The dramatic contrast between the brilliant red heavenly chariot and the dark earthy landscape creates a particularly powerful visual effect, while the delicately outlined horses, flowing garments, and stylized mountains reflect the artistic conventions of traditional Russian icon painting. The carefully arranged biblical episodes, restrained colour palette, and Church Slavonic inscription along the upper border further emphasize the icon’s distinctive narrative character and historical artistic tradition. Dating to the 19th century, the icon retains its authentic historical character, displaying a naturally aged painted surface and distinctive period patina. The substantial wooden panel features two traditional transverse reinforcing battens on the reverse, with considerable evidence of age, natural wood movement, and surface irregularities. The surviving painted details, subtle craquelure, darkened areas, and naturally worn borders further reflect its long devotional history. The dramatic fiery composition and traditional narrative arrangement preserve the historical character and artistic appeal of this distinctive Russian icon. Condition: Overall fair to good antique condition considering its age, with age-related surface wear, craquelure, scattered abrasions, localized paint and ground losses, and natural discoloration throughout the composition. Fine surface cracking and irregularities are visible across the red celestial field, while the darker landscape and lower narrative scenes display areas of wear and reduced paint clarity. The wooden panel shows considerable age-related wear, scratches, localized splitting, and natural structural movement, with both transverse reinforcing battens preserved on the reverse. Evidence of historical conservation or localized retouching may be present. Despite these characteristics, the principal composition remains well preserved and clearly recognizable, with the fiery chariot, expressive figures, and vivid red background maintaining their strong visual impact.
