19th-Century Russian Icon, St. Nicholas Of Myra

19th-Century Russian Icon, St. Nicholas Of MyraThis late 19th century Russian icon depicts Saint Nicholas of Myra, the wonderworker, flanked by images of Jesus Christ and Mary. Hes shown in half length, dressed in vestments and holding the gospels in his left hand. Saint Nicholas was a 4th century Greek bishop who was credited with numerous miracles and the giving of gifts. As such, over the centuries, his story was adapted to become the basis of Sinterklaas, or Santa Claus. According to legend,

We particularly love his carefully coiffured grey beard and thick bushy eyebrows

He signed up for the French military at around 20 years old having studied at the illustrious École des Beaux-Arts

It was a technical endeavour undertaken by specialists that involved a well-versed multi-step process

no expense was spared on the sumptuous fabrics

the work bears some resemblance to a similar piece in the collection at Royal Museums Greenwich

760Our reference: BRV1797

British Pictures 1500-1850

1890Provenance: DenmarkCondition: Very presentable

With the onset of World War I

Art was changing

Franz Emil Krause

and Switzerland initially