Eastern Orthodox Icon, Prophet Elijah (the Tishbite) with Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus

Russian or Eastern Europe, late 19th-early 20th century, tempera and gilt on gesso prepared panel with oak cradling, depicting the Prophet Holy Prophet Iliya (Elijah) the Tishbite at center, flanked by Holy Martyrs Flor (Florus) on the left and Holy Martyr Lavr (Laurus) at the right, Christ Pantocrator presiding in the heavens overhead, within a stylized intertwining border, presented in a contemporary gilt floater frame.

Panel 12 1/4 x 10 1/4 in.; Frame dimensions 14 1/4 x 12 1/4 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.

Saints Florus and Laurus were twin brothers and stonemasons. They lived in the second century at Byzantium, and afterwards they settled in Illyria (now Yugoslavia). They are worshipped as patron saints of horses, and are commemorated in the Orthodox Church on August 31st.

Elijah is an Israelite Old Testament prophet who lived in the village of Tishbe in Gilea. The prophet was carried into heaven at the end of his life by a fiery horse drawn chariot. His feast day is celebrated on July 20th.

The panel with minor abrasions and flaking to the tempera.