The Feasts of Christ
Type:
Icon
Period:
From
the beginning of the
the second half of the
13 century
to
the end of the
14 century
School: Unknown
Dimmensions (cm):
99
/ 92.5
Location
Country: Bulgaria
Province: Sofia
Town: Sofia
Museum: National History Museum
Source
Country: Bulgaria
Other source: Others
Object identification notes
The work has parallels in art from the latter half of the 13th and early 14th century that enable ascribing it to the artistic heritage from that time. These add to the treasure store of Balkan painting in the most brilliant age.
That side of the double-sided processional icon has an inset base; the background is golden; a broad frame surrounds the depiction.
Description
Four tiers depict three scenes each. Top from left to right: The Nativity of Christ, Candlemas (The Presentation of Christ in the Temple), Baptism ((The Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of Christ)); second tier: The Transfiguration with full-size Archangel Gabriel from The Annunciation next to it. The other side, which today is an empty concave quadrangular field, features the Mother of God. She and the Archangel frame the central scene that has not survived and that used to be mounted in the additionally inset space in the middle of the icon. The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ follows The Mother of God. The third tier from top to bottom comprises: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, The Entry into Jerusalem, and The Deposition from the Cross. The bottom tier comprises The Descent into Hell, The Ascension of Christ and The Assumption of the Virgin. The cycle brings together all feast scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. Presumably the central scene that has not survived was intended for Christ Pantocrator but as the iconography subject is to be found on the other side of the icon, this could not have been so.
Iconographical technique: Tempera
Base material: Wood
