A monumental icon of Saint Elijah, 1827

realistically painted, on the left the Prophet Elijah is seated on a rock on the bank of the river Cherith in a forested landscape, the fiery chariot depicted on the top right

The icon consists of three panels with two vertical splits. Loss of paint around the vertical cracks. The gilding has been repainted on the halos. The gilding on the lower cartouche is original. The overall condition is good. There are raised bubbles to the paintwork. We would advise prospective buyers to view.
"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."

The Prophet Elijah has his hand raised and looks up to the raven that is bringing food.  Elijah is represented as a solitary, whose life of desert spirituality prefigures that of a Christian Hermit and Monk. The iconography is taken from 17 Kings II, verses 5-6: So (Elijah) ' went and did according to the word of the Lord; he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread in the morning and in the evening, and he drank from the brook. In the upper right corner of the icon the Fiery Ascent of the Prophet Elijah to Heaven is represented. Elijah rides to heaven in a chariot of fire drawn by two blazing horses within a flaming whirlwind. The Prophet's disciple Elishah reaches out to catch his master's mantle. To the left Elijah is praying to God kneeling on top of a mountain. God the Father appears within the clouds making a gesture of blessing. The textual account of the scene of the Fiery Ascent is to be found in 4 Kings II verses 6-14. The meaning of the cartouche in the lower part of the icon showing a chalice with fire flanked  with the numbers 13 (left) and 76 (right) and two red stars has not been determined yet.     

The icon is painted in a naturalistic style clearly influenced by western landscape painting. In combination with the relatively realistic portrayal of the faces it seems clear the icon is influenced from the Tsar's workshop in the Kremlin. From the mid-17^th century, famous painters such as Simon Ushakov and his apprentice Kirill Ulyanov worked there and they specialised in a more naturalistic way of painting. Painters working in the Kremlin workshop were trying to modernise the art of icon painting. Elements from western art deemed usable were incorporated into the traditional orthodox visual language. From the late 17^th century onwards this new style spread to other parts of Russia. Our icon of the Prophet Elijah, dating from the early 19^th century, is an interesting and particularly fine example of this more realistic style.