A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE DEDICATORY RUSSIAN ICON, BELOUSOV BROTHERS WORKSHOP, PALEKH, DATED 1897.

A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE DEDICATORY RUSSIAN ICON, BELOUSOV BROTHERS WORKSHOP, PALEKH, DATED 1897. At top center within an arched reserve is an image of Christ, atop a bank of clouds representing heaven, who delivers a blessing with his right hand while his left hand holds a scepter and rests on an orb. Below Christ is a pair of finely painted full length images of two 6th century saints, each identified by the inscription above their halo. On the left is Saint Sampson Strannopriimets-Sampson the Stranger-Receiver (САМПСОН СТРАННОПРИМЕЦ) also referred to as Sampson the Hospitable. On the right is the Venerable John the Faster (Преподобный Иоанн Постник). The lower central margin displays a dedicatory inscription, "In Commemoration of Benefactor Boyar Ioann Nikolaev". The verso of the lower spline (шпонка) is inscribed, "This icon was painted in the village of Palekh, Vladimir Province in the Belousov Workshop, in 1897, craftsman V. Golovin." Each figure finely painted and their garments highlighted in chrysography. The background ornately incised and the borders finely painted in faux cloisonné enameling. 35 inches x 20.75 inches (89 x 53 cm).

The Belousov family traces its icon painting roots in the village of Palekh back to the late 18th century. From the mid-19th century forward the family icon painting dynasty received numerous important commissions and awards and also worked in conjunction with the famous Safonov family icon workshop also located in Palekh. Like the Safonov’s, the Belousov family was also well versed in the fresco technique as well as panel painting and put these skills to good use painting frescoes at the Moscow Kremlin Annuciation Cathedral. Later, in 1882, the three brothers (Ivan 1852-1914, Fedor 1853-1885, and Mikhail 1858-1920) were commissioned to paint the Faceted Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin for which each brother was awarded a medal. In the year 1898, brothers Ivan and Vasiliy opened a branch office in the city of Samara from which they produced a great many icons for churches and monasteries in the surrounding area.

In the very center of the Moscow Kremlin, in Cathedral Square, there stands the oldest surviving monument of the secular architecture of Moscow—the Faceted Chamber. It was erected in 1487-91 as the Throne Room of the Grand Prince’s palace, it was designated for the most important official ceremonies. Here in this hall heirs to the Russian throne were invested, military victories celebrated, royal weddings held and foreign ambassadors received. The Chamber is built of brick and faced with white stone. On the main, eastern façade the stone blocks are hewn into four facets each, and it is apparently from this that the Chamber derives its name “Faceted”.

The walls and vaults of the Faceted Chamber are covered with murals. The original frescoes, executed in the late sixteenth century in the reign of Tsar Feodor Ioannovich, lasted only until the second half of the seventeenth century. In 1672, the famous icon painter Simon Ushakov renewed the murals and, moreover, compiled their detailed description, recording the subject matter and exact location of each. Ushakov’s frescoes have not survived. The current existing murals were executed in 1882 by the Belousov family. The subjects for the murals are taken from the Bible and from Russian history. The choice of themes was prompted by a desire to reflect the idea of rational harmony in the universe and to exalt the image of the Russian state and its rulers.

According to legend, Saint Sampson was born in Rome to a prominent family. He was a physician who devoted much of his time to helping the poor and sick. He turned his home into a free clinic, providing his patients with food and lodging as well as medical care. He was later ordained a priest by the patriarch. When the Byzantine emperor Justinian the Great became ill he sent for Sampson to cure him. He was the only physician in the city to do the emperor any good, and the emperor wanted to reward him. Sampson requested that the emperor help him establish a new hospital for the poor. With the emperor's assistance, Sampson founded the hospital, which became the largest free clinic in the empire and served the people of Constantinople for 600 years.

Sampson died in the year 530 and was buried in the Church of the Holy Martyr Mocius in Constantinople. It was on his feast day that Peter the Great defeated Charles XII of Sweden in the Battle of Poltava. This led to his veneration in Russia, including the construction of St. Sampson's Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

NOTICE: Jackson’s is your sole and only source for one stop packing and shipping. With over 50 years of experience, our professional, affordable and efficient in house shipping department will be happy to provide you a fair and reasonable shipping quote on any item before the auction. For best results, simply email us ahead of the auction for a quick quote: shipping@jacksonsauction.com. Jackson’s can expertly pack and ship to meet any of your needs. NOTE: To ensure quality control Jackson’s DOES NOT release to third party shippers.

All successful bidders participating in one of Jackson’s World Treasures Fine Art Auctions, will receive a complimentary shipping quote on the invoice emailed to them for their purchases within 48 hours of the date of sale. This shipping quote includes the cost of standard shipping as well as charges for materials and labor for professional packing. However, because so many of our buyers are covered by their own insurance policies, this quote does not include insurance or declared value coverage.

Remember: There is no international shipping on lots which contain ivory. Nor can these lots be shipped to the following states: California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut.