Bidspirit auction | 18TH/19TH C. RUSSIAN RESURRECTION ICON

18TH/19TH C. RUSSIAN RESURRECTION ICON - A late 18th to early 19th-century Russian Orthodox icon depicting the Resurrection of Christ and the Descent into Hell, executed in tempera and gold leaf on a wood panel. The complex, multi-figural narrative composition features Christ depicted within a central mandorla, shown liberating Adam, Eve, and the righteous figures of the Old Testament. The central motif is surrounded by numerous subsidiary scenes, including the myrrh-bearing women at the empty tomb, angels binding demons, and various saints and prophets. The iconography is further detailed with expressive facial modeling, vivid polychrome pigments, gold leaf halos, and extensive Church Slavonic inscriptions located in the margins and integrated throughout the vignettes. The wooden support is constructed utilizing side-inserted splines, a traditional Russian panel-making technique, and is fitted with a later wire hanging apparatus on the reverse. russian orthodox icon, antique tempera panel, descent into hell, religious artifact, eastern christian art, slavonic script, gold leaf painting, paschal image Dimensions 14 x 11 7/8 in. (35.5 x 30 cm) Condition Overall good antique condition. The painted surface remains exceptionally vibrant, exhibiting fine natural craquelure, minor surface abrasions, and evidence of historical cleaning and localized retouching. The wooden panel is structurally stable, featuring traditional side-inserted splines. The darkened reverse bears later felt pads and a modern wire hanger. Condition is consistent with age.