Monumental Icon Of Saint Nicholas, Greece, 16th-century Iconostasis

Monumental icon depicting Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Dating from the 16th century.
Provenance: Northern Greece.
Due to its large size and format, this icon originally came from the iconostasis of a Greek church, specifically from the third register of the major saints. In Byzantine churches, the iconostasis is a screen covered with icons arranged in a precise order, separating the sanctuary from the nave (the area where the clergy sat from the rest of the congregation).

Symbolically, the iconostasis is the entrance to the divine world.
It consists of several registers, which are generally more numerous depending on the size and wealth of the church.
The third register, from which this icon comes, depicts the Intercession. Christ in Glory is surrounded by Mary, Saint John, the Archangels (including Saint Michael), the apostles and bishops (including Saint Nicholas), imploring him to save humanity.

Saint Nicholas is flanked on the upper left by Christ and on the right by Mary.
This work is executed in tempera with great finesse in a dominant red, black, and white palette, creating a striking artistic contrast throughout the composition and particularly in the drapery of the saint's robe.
His expression is gentle and his gesture is especially elegant.
He is dressed in his bishop's robes, blessing with his right hand and holding the Gospel in his left.
The wooden panel (carved from hardwood) is structurally very solid and features a wide, deep red border.
The background of the icon is enriched with silver leaf covered with its original gold varnish, giving it exceptional luminosity.
The saint’s name is inscribed in the upper corners of the composition.
Rare for an icon of this great age, it has survived to the present day without major restoration, allowing us to admire its superb patina.
Very good overall condition with visible losses, cracks, and fissures.
An exceptional work of art of museum quality.
Dimensions:
Height: 83.5 cm
Width: 44.5 cm
Depth: 3.5 cm
Despite the slight difference in dimensions between the icon presented here and the very similar one of the Archangel Saint Michael shown separately on my website Paris Antiques, it is highly probable that these two icons originally formed part of the same church iconostasis. In addition to their dimensions, their styles also vary slightly, but it was not uncommon for the creation of the numerous icons forming a large iconostasis to be entrusted to different masters.