Auction 66 / Lot 696

Christ is enthroned in the centre of the composition, flanked by the Mother of God, John the Baptist and the archangels. At the top are six panels arranged in two registers with the depiction of Christ's descent into Hades, the beheading of John the Baptist, the washing of the feet, the synaxis of the archangels, the Annunciation and the Crucifixion. Below Christ, two angels flank the altar of God. Church fathers, patriarchs, metropolitans, archbishops and monks appear in the lower area. Very finely painted icon. The faces are individualised by deliberately placed high lights. The central field combines the six days of creation with the seven days of the week.