DESCRIPTION: 19th century Russian icon of St. Nikitas the Warrior, a 4th century martyr-saint. Label verso from Greer Gallery in NYC. Full portrait painted in egg tempera and gold leaf on gesso ground, possibly on poplar board. Two guardians flank portrait, one a male soldier saint and the other, an angel. Figures incised into board. Saint Nicetas was a warrior who lived with the Gothic tribes on the eastern side of the Danube River within the boundaries of present-day Romania. He was a convert to Christianity of the Gothic Bishop Theophilus, a well-known enlightener of the Goths, who also had baptized Nicetas. After fighting for the Christian cause against his country's king, Nicetas was tortured, suffered in 372 AD. His saint's day is September 15th. MEASUREMENTS: 17" x 14-3/4" x 2-1/4". CONDITION: Apparent warping to board consistent with age. Abrasions, scratches, and losses to surface consistent with handling. Support bars visible from front.