Panel Painting
Icon
Fountain of Life
Object number
LDSAL295
Artist/Designer/Maker
Unknown artist - Artist
Production date
early 18th century
Material
wood
Pigment
gold leaf
Pigment
gold leaf
Technique
Gilding
Dimensions
height: 114mm
width: 82mm
width: 82mm
Location
Burlington House -
Content description
In the upper portion the Virgin, holding the infant Christ before her, is shown within the bowl of a fountain, flanked by two angels. Christ makes the sign of blessing to his left, raising two fingers on both hands. Beneath the fountain is a basin with a moulded edge, filled with blue water.
On the right, a crowned and bearded, possibly imperial, figure in red and gold, proffers a goblet. Behind him stands a youthful, bare-headed man. To the left are a hooded monk and a grey-bearded bishop. The bishop extends a hand to receive the goblet of curative water. His episcopal omophorion, or stole, is folded over one shoulder as is customary and it surmounts a red sakkos, or tunic and he wears a tall scalloped crown.
On the right, a crowned and bearded, possibly imperial, figure in red and gold, proffers a goblet. Behind him stands a youthful, bare-headed man. To the left are a hooded monk and a grey-bearded bishop. The bishop extends a hand to receive the goblet of curative water. His episcopal omophorion, or stole, is folded over one shoulder as is customary and it surmounts a red sakkos, or tunic and he wears a tall scalloped crown.
Inscriptions
Inscription content
Образ преґцсм – я боґоро – цц – ж
Inscriber role/association
Artist
Inscription content
MP – ΘY – IC – XC
Inscriber role/association
Artist
References
Reference details
SAL Minute Book I, 7 May 1717/1718
Reference (free text)
'Mr Norroy likewise brought us a curious old piece of Greek paynting upon wood, a religious piece'
Reference note
Minute Book reference possibly referring to LDSAL295
Small Russian Icon of pigment and gilding on wood panel, dedicated to the Virgin Zoodochos Pege (‘Life-bearing Source/Spring’). Unframed.
This small Russian icon, barely the size of a post card, may have been produced as a portable pilgrim souvenir at a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Zoodochos Pege (‘Life-bearing Source/Spring’), the cult of which, originating at a sacred spring outside Constantinople in the fifth century, was revived in the early fourteenth century and flourished thereafter outside the capital. Rekindled again in the eighteenth century, it became a popular subject in post-Byzantine art. Underpinning the distinctive iconography is the early Christian allegory of baptism, which identifies the font with the Virgin and the water within it, imbued with the Holy Spirit, with Jesus Christ.