A Russian Double-Sided Processional Icon Moscow School, 17th century and later 17-3/4 x 15 inches (43.8 x 38.1 cm) (icon) 47-3/4 inches (121.3 cm) (overall) PROVENANCE: U.S.S.R. Central Art Collection Warehouse, illegible inventory nos.; Acquired by George R. Hann between 1934-1937; Christie's, New York, The George R. Hann Collection, Part I, April 17-18, 1980, lot 24; Ruth S. Nelkin, acquired from the above. EXHIBITED: Pittsburgh, Carnegie Institute, Collection of George R. Hann, January 12-22 February 1944, no. 96; New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Russian Icons from the Collection of George R. Hann Processional icons are an important part of Orthodox liturgical practice, and have been used since at least the 4th century and earlier. This processional icon, with an image of the Smolenskaya Mother of God to one side, and St. Nicholas the Miracle-Worker to the other was identified as a North Russian 17th century work by George Avinoff, Igor Grabar, and Russian scholar-restorer Alexander Ivanovich Anisimov. In an article by Anastasia Lishnevskaya for the Tretyakov Gallery, the author describes in detail the role of Igor Grabar in the popularization of exhibitions of icons abroad, restoration of icons in the fledgling USSR, and his role in the shift in perception of icons from counter-revolutionary religious objects of veneration to important works of art by the Soviet Authorities. The offered lot was among the many works acquired by collector George R. Hann in Russia between 1934 and 1937. This processional icon, which appears to have been deaccessioned and sold through the central art collection warehouse to Hann exhibits many of the intrinsic qualities of 17th century works, but clearly has had rather typical overpainting in the 18th. 19th and 20th centuries. Despite this, the work is an extraordinary one in its balance of power and tenderness, and a rare survivor of a processional icon with an intrinsic standard. For more information on Grabar's role in restoration and sales of related material see: Vzdornov, G.I. Реставрация и наука: Очерки по истории открытия и изучения древнерусской живописи., Moscow. 2006. P. 108; Osokina, Ye.A. Небесная голубизна ангельских одежд: Судьба произведений древнерусской живописи, 1920-1930-е годы., Moscow, 2018. Pp. 199-204; Lishnevskaya, A. Русская икона в Германии: выставки 1929 года, Tretyakovskaya galleriya zhurnala no. 1, 2021 (70). Property from the Nelkin Collection HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved