73. Painted cross with the image of a seraph and "Saint John Chrysostom", Moldavian school, the era of Jeremiah Movila, end of the 16th century, extremely rare, collectible piece

The cross is painted on both sides. As a rule, it was affixed in front of the icons in the iconostasis, in line with the candles. On one side of the cross, against the gold background, stands Saint John Chrysostom clad in episcopal garb, topped by an omophor with black crosses, a symbol of Hierarchs. He is one of the Three Hierarchs, alongside Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory the Theologian. Saint John Chrysostom has his arms extended on the sides: with one hand he holds the closed Gospel and with the other, blesses. His slender silhouette has a small head with regular facial features. Rendered miniature, the model of the face is accomplished tone on tone in shades of ocher, using browns for the dark parts and parallel white highlights for lights, which are characteristic elements of the Moldovan painting from late sixteenth century. Around his head, he wears a halo. At the ends of the cross are depicted busts of three Archangels: Archangel Michael, Archangel Gabriel, and Archangel Raphael. On the other side of the cross, against a golden background, is painted a Seraphim with six wings: two above, two below, and one on each of the horizontal slopes. As a special note, the seraphim is portrayed with a face similar to that of the angels, wears a halo and has two arms extended on the horizontal arm of the cross and two legs on the vertical arm of the cross. His face and complexion are similar to those of the characters depicted on the other side of the cross. (A.D.)

Dimensions

width 30 cm, height 37 cm

Description

tempera and gold leaf on wood

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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