Eastern Orthodox Icon, Scenes from the Life of the Prophet Elijah

Russia or Eastern Europe, 19th century, tempera on gesso prepared wood panel, presented in a contemporary gilt floater frame.

Panel 14 1/8 x 12 1/4 in.; frame dimensions 15 3/4 x 14 x 2 in.

Private Collection Durham, North Carolina, previously Krakow, Poland

Found in homes as well as churches, icons are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition that illustrate scripture and remain important visual and spiritual window of the orthodox religion. The origins of the painted icon can be seen in examples from ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome. Elements were adopted and incorporated into the hand-painted panels of the Christian Orthodox traditions that we recognize as part of Slavic iconography in Russia and other areas of Eastern Europe.

In this icon the central and larger scene depicts the elderly Old Testament Prophet, Elijah, seated at the entrance of a cave of Mount Horeb and fed by a raven above. The upper left illustrates the Lord, Yahweh on a heavenly cloud, who sent fire from heaven for Elijah's competition with the prophets of Baal. The lower-left register depicts Elijah sleeping under a broom tree and being awakened by an angel who brings him nourishment to sustain him before his 40 day and 40 night trip journey to Horeb.
The lower right depicting Elijah with his disciple Elisha and the miraculous parting and crossing of the River Jordan.
The upper right scene shows the fiery horse-drawn chariot elevating the prophet to the heavens, while the prophet throws his mantle to Elisha beneath.

Some scattered area of paint losses, primarily around the perimeter, with associated areas of painted restoration.