The Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus. Egg tempera on wood panel with double kovcheg.

205 - The Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus. Egg tempera on wood panel with double kovcheg.

The Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus. Egg tempera on wood panel with double kovcheg. Symmetrically composed scene. In the middle of the composition St. Michael with outstretched wings is portrayed frontally, Sts. Florus and Laurus at his sides with their hands extended in prayer. The Archangel hands the brothers the reins of two red saddled white horses and confers on them the gift of power over the animals. In the foreground, three horsemen take their horses to water. The figures finely portrayed, the features highlighted with ochre nuances. Against a stylized architectural view and a rocky landscape. Minimally restored, minimal losses. Russian, 17th century. 30.8 x 25 cm The twin brothers Florus and Laurus, who worked as masons and builders, were especially venerated as the "horsemen" saints. According to the Greek life of the saints, they were martyred for their Christian faith in Illyria in the second century. They were the patron saints of horses, to whom it was customary to pray to be "saved from falling from a horse". The herd of horses depicted at a watering place in the lower half of the icon are entrusted to the patronage of the three other martyred brothers; Speusippus, Eleusippus and Meleusippus. Like Florus and Laurus, they were venerated in Northern Rus' as saintly horsemen and horse breeders. Like other icons on this subject, the work reflects specific features of the celebration of the martyrs' feast day on 18 August, named the "horses holy day" in Rus' when it was forbidden to work with these animals. On this feast day, the herd of horses were well fed and driven down to the river to drink and swim, as shown in the lower part of the icon.

Russland, 17. Jh.

Catalogueprice: 8.500 - 9.000 €

Result: 8.500,00 EUR

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