A Russian Icon of the Transfiguration, Workshop of Mikhail Ivanovich Dikariev, circa 1900

MosGosTorg, the Soviet shop for selling antiques to foreigners for hard currency, 1930s (label on reverse);

The Temple Gallery, A Christmas Catalogue, 2004, No. 39;

Private Collection.

Mikhail Ivanovich Dikariev was a prominent Russian icon painter, restorer, and collector. Little is known about his early years, except that in 1870 he came to Moscow from the village of Mstera, which was renowned for its icon painting, particularly miniature ornamental painting. He collaborated with Iosif Semenovich Chirikov and Vasily Pavlovich Guryanov, and worked for Emperor Nicholas II and the Imperial family, creating icons for various locations, including the Marble Palace in St. Petersburg. He was also involved in the restoration of older icons, including those in Kostroma related to the tercentenary of the Romanov in 1913. What happened to him after 1917 is unknown.