28. Anastasis

Details

Russian, second half 17th century
31.7 x 27.3 cms

Provenance:
Private collection, Germany.
Private collection, The Netherlands.

Description:
The Anastasis, the Easter feast, is depicted with a double theme of the Descent into hell and the Resurrection of Christ.

Christ is portrayed centrally in a mandorla at the bottom. He kicks in the doors of the hades and takes Adam by the wrist. He raises the believers to eternal life, taking the line of believers with him in his ascent to heaven (top right). The repentant thief is at the heavenly gate and is greeted by Enoch and Elijah, the symbols of eternal life.

The Resurrection of Christ is depicted in the top middle. At Christ’s feet a group of Roman soldiers is falling down, frightened and unable to understand the miraculous Resurrection. To Christ’s right a chorus of angels is dealing with evil.

In the left upper corner Christ’s Crucifixion and the Incredulity of St Thomas are portrayed. The women bearing myrrh to the empty sepulchre and St Peter, looking into the empty sepulchre, are depicted underneath these scenes. At the right side of the Resurrection the Supper at Emmaus is depicted. The right lower corner shows the Miraculous draught of fishes.