Overview
A complex hagiographical icon executed in egg tempera on a wooden panel, depicting the Prophet Elijah's miraculous ascent to heaven.
1Identify
Preliminary identification
Russian Orthodox Icon of the Fiery Ascent of the Prophet Elijah, c. 1850-1880
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Story
In the 9th century BCE, the Prophet Elijah was said to have bypassed death entirely, carried into the heavens by a whirlwind and a chariot of fire.
Maker / Origin
While the individual artist remains anonymous, they were part of a deeply spiritual guild system where icon painting was considered a form of liturgical service rather than personal expression.
Condition & Value
The icon shows significant age-related wear, including a vertical crack through the panel and substantial loss of the paint and gesso layers along the right-hand border. The value is driven by the popular subject matter and the complexity of the multi-scene composition.
Research
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