3143
Icon with the Exaltation of the Holy and Life-Creating Cross
Greece 18th/19th C. Egg tempera over chalk ground on panel. Signed lower right and dated «’78». Lower middle inscribed in Greek with the donor's names. Several inscriptions within the depiction.
In the center of the vertical axis the cross is symbolically held by Saint Constantine and his mother Saint Helena. Both wear crowns and ceremonial court costume. A blessing Jesus rises above the wide landscape, inscribed with Christ monograms and surrounded by winged cherub heads.
H 39,5, W 26,25 cm.
The icon shows a depiction for the Orthodox feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. After Saint Helena - mother of the first Christian Roman emperor Constantine - found the cross of Christ on Mount Golgotha around 325, a true cult of the cross arose. Thereupon Constantine had the Church of the Holy Sepulchre built in Jerusalem.
The icon provides numerous inscriptions that give the viewer a clear direction to read in: In addition to the titles of Jesus, Constantine and Helena, the Greek script on the luminous rays of the star cross, which reads «in this sign you will be victorious», refers to a historical event. Before the battle against his rival Maxentius in 312, Constantine and his soldiers are said to have seen a star-shaped cross with rays of light, whereupon he used this sign as a field emblem and was victorious.
At the margin, the donors of the icon John and Sophia are named, as well as a quotation of a biblical passage. It is noteworthy that the painter of this technically sophisticated and richly detailed icon has signed and dated it at the bottom right: Nikoláou Konstantinoupolaéiou '78 - Work of the hand of Nicholas Konstantinospoulos '78.
Proof of purchase: Asfar Bros. Antiquities, Beirut, 25.05.1965, in copy.

Condition report