Russian icons: get to know them well

Sophia
Holy Wisdom of God

Russian icon
19t century
/icon's No 909 detail/

The image is essentially a Deisis variant. It depicts Sophia as a winged angelic figure with flame-red face seated upon a throne within a mandorla. It is an aspect of Christ before the creation, in Eternity: "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was," (Proverbs 8:23).

Above wisdom is Christ, also within a mandorla. Still higher the heavens are shown like a scroll (Isaiah 34:4; Revelation 6:14), behind which are angels.

The table set in the center of the scroll is an altar called the "throne" in iconography, because in an Orthodox church the altar is considered the throne of Christ.

Zoom & Explore this icon

Imago Lignea was created in 1995 for the sale and restoration of antique orthodox icons.

It was the result of a passion for collecting Russian and Greek icons, as well as icons from Byzantium and the Balkans, Russian brass icons, antique wooden sculptures.

"Imago" is the Latin translation of the Greek word “eikon” (είκών=image) and it has both been used as the name of the Gallery and also the title of this website. It would act as a bridge between the East and the West, of a divided IV century Roman Empire .

The choice of the Latin word “Lignea” (wooden) does not need explaining, although Russian brass or bronze icons, often incorrectly known as “Russian travel icons” are now beginning to be appreciated.

As you open the website, at the top on the left handside, you can see the well known silhouette of the Mole Antoneliana: our Gallery is in fact sited in Turin, a few steps away from both Piazza Vittorio and the Mole Antoneliana.

You are very welcome to come and see us either during opening hours or by appointment.

As well as selling icons we can also provide you with valuations, quality appraisals, value and attribution of any icon.

We are able to offer these services as Chiara, as well as being a noted restorer of icons acts also as an expert on behalf of the Turin Tribunals.

 

 

Chiara Belletti and her father Piero
portrayed in their Gallery
among Russian icons

Drop us a line

•  

• To view Russian wooden icons and Russian brass icons:

  Via Giuseppe Verdi, 45
  10124 Torino Italy
  

• To telephone us:

• +39011885637