Ancient Russian 19th century Christ Pantocrator icon 31x27 cm restored

Ancient Russian icon Christ Pantocrator, 19th century, 31x27 cm. The icon of Christ Pantocrator realizes the maximum glory and power of Christ. It represents the most famous Christological Icon and shows Jesus in a blessing position and with a hieratic, intensely expressive face. The figure, portrayed in a frontal position, assumes a majestic and severe attitude. Note the Gospel, held with the left hand, open and facing in the direction of the faithful, and the position of the fingers, with the thumb and ring finger joined: a gesture of blessing, according to the Orthodox/Byzantine ritual.On the halo, technically called Nimbo, we can identify the typical Greek letters representing the phrase "He who is", while in the background, to embellish the solemnity of the depicted subject, a ramage motif in gold and blue colors. Worthy of mention is an observation relating to the book of the Gospel. In this icon, the volume is depicted open and bears the writings of Matthew's text ''I give you a new Commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you - come to me all you who are afflicted - bring my yoke upon you - I am the Light of the world - never judge because you will be judged''.Icons that depict the closed book are very rare as the Orthodox Church preferred that its faithful had access to the reading of some very important phrases for the Christian Liturgy. Those who instead supported the need to leave it closed motivated this request with the fact that it was the great book Gospel of Mark, John, Luke and Matthew that should remain imprinted in the minds of all Christians and not just the words of a single Evangelist, as all and four had the possibility of reporting all the Knowledge and not just two or three thoughts of Christ.Subject: Christ PantocratorOrigin: Choluy-RussiaTechnique: egg temperaMaterials: wood-levkasPeriod: 19th centuryRestoration date: 21st centuryMeasurements: 31x27x2 cm.The icon includes a protective box and assessment by an expert.