100C. Cretan-Venetian icon on wood, "The Nativity", early 16th century, rare piece, collectible
The photos of the lot are informative and indicative, and cannot provide a highly detailed view of the object from all angles. We recommend a careful physical inspection of the lot before bidding.
100C. Cretan-Venetian icon on wood, "The Nativity", early 16th century, rare piece, collectible
Starting price:
EUR 5.000
Sold
EUR 11.000
tempera and gold foil on wood, 81.5 x 63 cm
It is probably the central part of the triptych. The upper side of the icon is decorated with a series of small trilobed arches in flat relief which rest on the sides on a twisted column with a capital in the same technique. On the gilded background of the icon, against a backdrop of typically stylised rocky mountains, the scene of the Nativity unfolds, largely in keeping with the tradition of the compositional scheme, with the exception of the central scene in which Virgin Mary is depicted in an attitude of adoration of the Child presented naked on her lap. According to traditional iconography, next to it is the manger, the manger of the Child with the ox and the donkey, suggesting the place of Jesus' birth, and on the opposite side is the seated St. Joseph with a thoughtful look. On the top right side, an angel brings the news of the birth of the Saviour to a shepherd, with another shepherd beside him blowing a horn as he guards the sheep. On the right side is the scene of the Magi worshipping, holding gifts in their hands. The fortress and the horses guarded by a servant suggest the way of the Magi who came from afar to worship the Messiah. With the exception of Virgin Mary and the Child, both the compositional scheme and the characters depicted are painted in the Byzantine tradition perpetuated by the Cretan school. Virgin Mary, with the Child on her lap, is painted in the style of the Venetian school of painting, visible above all in the models of the face, in the garments worn; over her dress she wears not a maforion but a cape fastened with a brooch to her breast. Only the decoration of the halo of the Virgin is tributary to the Cretan school.
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