Eastern Europe, Russia, ca 1750 to 1780 CE. A mesmerizing calendar icon known as a synaxaria (monthly) representing the month of January - as opposed to a menologia (annual) calendar - in egg tempera and gold leaf on wood. The more than thirty different compositions on this icon derive from miniatures painted in manuscript collections representing portraits of various saints and depictions of the holy feast days commemorated during January, each miniature composition labeled in calligraphic text. Sometimes the artist has elected to depict saints who are celebrated the same day together, and other times only the first saint celebrated is depicted. Most often saints are depicted standing; however, martyred saints are typically shown at the moment of their martyrdom. In addition to weekly or monthly icons, diptychs covering four months and more complex panels that include the full cycle of twelve months were created. Size: 23.75" L x 18.125" W (60.3 cm x 46 cm)

Poetically described by scholar Alfredo Tradigo, "Rather like musical scores, these icons are veritable calendars of sainthood." (Tradigo, "Icons and Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church" Los Angeles: Getty Publications, 2006, p. 24.) Special examples like this one traditionally would have been displayed in churches upon special lecterns. Calendar icons portray the feast days of the saints in chronological order, usually alternating with movable liturgical feasts, as dictated by the Orthodox calendar, which begins on the first of September. Calendar icons may be referred to as menologia (annual) or synaxaria (monthly), and their many panels are modeled on miniatures featured in manuscript collections of saints' lives.

Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, these painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Icons are not worshiped, but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual's prayer to God. As such they are truly "windows into heaven."

Provenance: private Ventura, California, USA collection, acquired before 1980

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#122793

Expected surface wear with pigment loss and a few fissures as shown. Minor losses to corners and peripheries. This icon was made from two vertical pieces of wood, and some separation between these is visible on the verso. However, the back slats are still in place and the icon is very stable. Also on verso are old inventory labels.