All Seeing Eye of God

Date18th century

Mediumtempera

Dimensions31.7 × 26.8 × 3.7 cm

ClassificationsIcon

Credit LineGift of Dr. John Foreman.

Object numberM2002.051

DescriptionRussian icon. The central image is composed of superimposed circles. In the centre is the figure of a young Christ orans in a small roundal surrounded by a larger red circle. Within this circle is a large face with red features modelled in white, its eyes on either side of Christ's body. A further circle encloses this one with four inscriptions.This circle radiates thin golden highlights. Mary is shown at the apex of this circle. She is also in the orans position. Above Mary is a fine gold disk with a figure of Lord Sabaoth inside. In the corners of the recessed panel plane are 4 more gold circles each bearing the winged symbol of the four gospel writers. Four diagonal rays extend from Christ pointing to each of these four circles. There is one final large dark blue ring behind the others which displays three seraphim with white halos on the left, right and bottom. The outer border is brown and the back is painted a matte black.

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