Lot 302
  • 302

Anastasis, Greece, 1651

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description

  • tempera
  • 67 by 48cm, 26 1/4 by 18 3/4 in.
signed and dated l.r. by the hand of Elias Moskos, 1651

Condition

A repaired vertical crack running from top to bottom through the panel, slightly to the right of centre. There is a strip of retouching 1-2cm wide along the crack. The background re-gilded. Larger areas of restoration to the angels in the upper part, to the rock on the right and around the silhouette of that on the left, to the mantle of the figure of Eve standing to the right of Christ. Some more minor retouching to the garments of the figures, to the grey tombs on which they stand, and to the part area with devils to the lower part of the icon. Some light retouching to the face of Christ. The lines of the Mandoral surrounding Christ largely re-gilt. The title of the icon reinforced with later retouchings.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Born in Rethymnon on the island of Crete, Elias Moskos is considered one of the most important Greek icon painters of the 17th century.  The Ottoman conquest of Crete, which began in 1645 and was complete by 1669, forced the majority of icon painters to the leave for the Ionian islands, which shelter off the west coast of the mainland.

Elias Moskos left Crete by 1646 and lived on Zakynthos until his death on 26 January 1687.  Current research suggests that all his signed and dated icons were painted there or on neighbouring Kefalonia between 1649 and 1686.  Moskos worked in a variety of styles ranging from traditional Byzantine, as demonstrated by the present Anastasis and the monumental Christ Pantocrator, dated 1653, in the Recklinghausen Ikonen Museum in Germany, to the more Italian Mannerist, such as the Annunciation, dated 1675, in the Byzantine Museum, Athens.