Caption

Icon: The Fiery Ascension of the Prophet Elijah into Heaven, Russian workshop. Bird iconography, icons, prophets, Elijah Bible, raven iconography, wings, horse iconography, chariot iconography, Lord of Hosts iconography, Elisha Bible, God the Father iconography, angels, inscriptions. In the center of the icon, against a mountainous landscape and a cave, the prophet Elijah is depicted full-length, seated and leaning on a staff. He turns to the left, raising his head and right hand in a gesture of blessing. To his left a raven flies downward. Scenes illustrating the saint's life are placed around the figure, while the entire upper part of the icon is occupied by the fiery chariot upon which the prophet sits. In the upper left corner the Lord of Hosts is depicted turning towards Elijah. The composition is notable for the significant enlargement of the central figure relative to the others. The icon is characterized by very elaborate design and rich colors, with a predominance of red, green, and shades of brown. Inscriptions identifying the scenes are placed on the fields. 19th century, Russia, icon, height 43.9 cm, width 34.5 cm., An aged painted panel shows a central bearded figure with a halo wearing flowing red and gold robes standing on a dark cloudlike base, surrounded by jagged brown rocky forms; several smaller haloed figures in red garments stand nearby and two haloed figures recline on the ground with one being lifted by another; above them a large red cloud contains winged horses pulling a chariot and a haloed charioteer, and a few smaller winged figures appear within the red area; to the left a group of people in red clothing stand near a flame and a hovering haloed bust, while to the right a dark-robed figure gesticulates from a rocky ledge; the color palette includes red, gold, brown, dark green, black, and touches of pale skin tones, with a narrow gold border framing the scene.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A19_039

License type

Rights managed

Available size

108.5Mb (7.8Mb) / 18.2in x 23.2in / 5459 x 6945 (300dpi)

Keywords

Icon Fiery Ascension Prophet Elijah Heaven Russian workshop Bird iconography icons prophets Elijah Bible raven iconography wings horse iconography chariot iconography Lord Hosts iconography Elisha Bible God Father iconography angels inscriptions center icon mountainous landscape cave prophet Elijah depicted full-length seated leaning staff turns left raising head right hand gesture blessing raven flies downward Scenes illustrating saint's life placed figure entire upper part occupied fiery chariot upon prophet sits upper corner Hosts depicted turning towards Elijah composition significant enlargement central figure relative characterized elaborate design rich colors predominance red green shades brown Inscriptions identifying scenes fields 19th century Russia height 43.9 cm width 34.5 cm aged painted panel central bearded halo wearing flowing red gold robes standing dark cloudlike base surrounded jagged rocky forms several smaller haloed figures red garments stand nearby two haloed figures recline ground lifted another them large cloud contains winged horses pulling chariot haloed charioteer smaller figures within red area group people red clothing near flame hovering haloed bust right dark-robed figure gesticulates rocky ledge color palette includes gold dark green black touches pale skin tones narrow gold border framing scene.