Resurrection – Descent into Hell

Iconography:  Resurrection – The Descent into Hell

Date: XVI century.

Iconographic school/art center:  Pskov icon-painting school

Origin: From the church of Nicholas the Wonderworker in Pskov

Material: Wood, canvas, levkas, tempera

Dimensions:  height 93 cm, width 67 cm

The icon from the Festival row of iconostasis. It copies one of the iconographic types very well known in the byzantine art of the 14th – 15th centuries. Its specific features: the symmetrical composition with the figures of Adam and Eve on either sides of the central figure of Christ Who is represented in the round halo standing on the broken gates of Hell in a three quarter turn to Adam. Apart from this the icon has also the rare features that can obviously be called local. First of all the hell is depicted with the Satan in fetters, Adam falls down before Christ’s right hand.

Inv. № 1651. © Pskov State United Historical, Architectural and Fine Arts Museum-Reserve

Bibliography: Васильева О.А. Иконы Пскова. М., 2006. № 46. С. 180.

  • General view