Russia, ca. 18th century CE. A fine Russian Orthodox icon depicting the Birth of the Virgin Mary in egg tempera on wood. The artist included all the conventional elements including Mary's mother (Saint Anne) on the left on a couch, attended by two servants and Saint Joseph on the right, while two other attendants are bathing the newborn baby in the lower right. In the background are stylized architectural elements (here difficult to see) connected with a drape. This represents the building where the scene takes place. The figures are characteristically rigid and pantomime-like, inspired by the Byzantine style admired by the Russian Orthodox Church. On the back side we see evidence of former back slats, shponki used to prevent warping, which indicate that the icon dates before 1880 to 1890. Given the style of painting, this particular icon is an 18th century example. A wonderful work of religious art from the Russian Orthodox Church! Size: 9.75" W x 11.75" H (24.8 cm x 29.8 cm)

Provenance: Ex- Estate of M. Reiniger, Chicago, IL; acquired at the Antiquarians Building, Chicago, IL, 2006.

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#111518

Intact with minor paint losses as shown. Back slats or shponki (used to prevent warping) are missing, but the fact that they existed at one point, indicates the piece's age.