Russian Icon Depicting Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker with a Riza, late 19th century (circa 1880-1900)

tempera on panel

Dimension 41 x 31 cm

egg tempera on panel depicting Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, one of the most venerated saints of the Orthodox tradition, represented frontally according to the established Byzantine iconographic canon.
The saint is portrayed half-length with a solemn yet deeply benevolent expression, characterized by a broad forehead, large contemplative eyes, a slender nose, and a long bifurcated beard delicately rendered with extremely fine white highlights.
His right hand is raised in the traditional gesture of Orthodox blessing, while his left supports an open Gospel book bearing an inscription in Church Slavonic.
The painted surface is almost entirely covered by an elaborate silvered brass riza (oklad), leaving exposed only the face, the blessing hand, part of the left hand, and small details of the angelic figures.
The halo is enriched by an elegant pierced and punched radial decoration framed by a gilded border.
In the upper corners appear the traditional half-length figures of Christ and the Mother of God, depicted presenting respectively the Gospel Book and the omophorion. This iconographic motif alludes to the miraculous restoration of Saint Nicholas to his episcopal dignity following the First Council of Nicaea.

The metal cover is executed with considerable care, although intended for high-quality serial production, and is characteristic of the workshops of Moscow and the Russian provinces during the last quarter of the nineteenth century.