Russian Feast Day and Passion Cycle Icon

Name: Russian Feast Day and Passion Cycle Icon
Brand: The Collector
Availability: LimitedAvailability

A late 19th-century Russian Orthodox icon depicting the Resurrection and Great Feasts, painted in tempera and gold leaf on a wood panel, displayed on a blue museum wall. - view 1

1/3

Scarce (6/10)

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QUICK FACTS

Type

Museum Object

DESCRIPTION

A finely painted Russian Orthodox icon from the late 19th century, executed in egg tempera and gold leaf on a gessoed wood panel. The icon is a complex 'Menaion' or 'Feast Day' type, featuring a central panel of the Resurrection (the Harrowing of Hell) surrounded by a grid of smaller scenes. These depict the twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, as well as scenes from the Passion of Christ. Each miniature scene is meticulously rendered and labeled in Church Slavonic script. The four corners of the icon feature depictions of the Four Evangelists. The rich color palette and extensive use of gold are characteristic of high-quality Russian icon workshops of the period, possibly from centers like Palekh or Mstera.

CULTURAL ECHOES

Where This Object Echoes

Byzantine Empirec. 330-1453 AD

Russian icon painting is a direct descendant of the Byzantine tradition, inheriting its stylistic conventions, theological emphasis, and use of materials like gold leaf to represent divine light.

Ethiopian Orthodox Artc. 12th Century - present

Like Russian icons, Ethiopian Christian art uses bold colors, flattened perspectives, and strong outlines to convey sacred narratives, showing a parallel development from early Christian art traditions outside the Western European sphere.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•Venerated in the 'icon corner' (Красный угол, Krasny ugol) of a traditional Russian home, which was the most sacred place in the house.
•Used as a visual guide for prayer and meditation on the major events of the life of Christ and the liturgical year.

Meaning Through Time

Medieval Russia

Viewed as a 'window into heaven,' a sacred object believed to be imbued with divine presence, not merely a piece of art.

Soviet Era

Suppressed as religious propaganda and often destroyed, or preserved by state museums as examples of historical folk art, stripped of their sacred function.

Post-Soviet / Modern

Became a symbol of national and cultural revival, as well as a highly sought-after collectible and art object on the international market.

HISTORICAL STORY

This type of icon, known as a 'Feast' or 'Menaion' icon, served as a complete liturgical calendar for the devout. It allowed a family to venerate all the major holy days of the church year with a single object. In the late 19th century, traditional icon painting workshops experienced a revival, ...

DID YOU KNOW?

The central image is not the Crucifixion, but the Resurrection, depicted as Christ pulling Adam and Eve from Hades. This scene is known as the 'Harrowing of Hell' and is the traditional Orthodox icon of Easter.

Icon painters did not sign their work for centuries, believing they were merely 'writing' a sacred image as instruments of God, not creating personal art.

MATERIAL & CONDITION

Surface

A smooth, glossy surface, characteristic of a traditional 'olifa' (linseed oil) varnish over egg tempera paint and gold leaf. The surface is flat and the details are precise and linear.

Weight & Feel

Based on its size (36x31 cm) and material (solid wood panel), it would feel substantial and dense, likely weighing 2-4 kg (4-9 lbs).

Condition

Presented in a museum setting and appearing in excellent condition for its age. Colors are vibrant and the gold leaf is largely intact. Consistent with the user's description of 'minor wear'.

RARITY ANALYSIS

Scarce80-90%

CommonLegendary

Genuinely harder to find. Perhaps only dozens come to market annually. Collectors actively watch for these pieces.

Typical Characteristics

Dozens per year at market
Documented provenance valued
Active collector pursuit

ESTIMATED VALUE

$3,000 - $5,000

Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Market comparables from auctions & retail
Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
Current collector demand & trends
Low = quick sale, High = patient seller

For informational purposes only—not a formal appraisal.

CONTEXT ANALYSIS

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

User's attribution as an 'Original/Authentic' Russian piece is fully supported by the Orthodox iconography, Cyrillic script, and traditional painting style.
The 'Late 19e century' time period provided by the user is consistent with the visual style and confirmed by the museum placard ('19e eeuw').
The 'Minor wear' condition assessment aligns with the excellent state of preservation visible in the images.