8. Saint Nicholas of Mozhaisk

Details

Russian, second half 17th century
31.6 x 26.5 cms

Provenance:
Galerie Rotmann, Cologne, Germany.
Private collection, Switzerland.
Private collection, The Netherlands.

Literature:
B. Bornheim, ‘Ikonen’, Munich, Germany, 1985, p. 120 – 121.

Description:
The image of St Nicholas of Mozhaisk is a variation on the traditional icons of St Nicholas.

St Nicholas is depicted full-length and holds the kremlin of the city of Mozhaisk in his left hand, and a sword in his right hand.

The image originated from the tradition that the Tartars in the fourteenth century threatened to attack Mozhaisk (110 kilometres west of Moscow). The people gathered in the city’s St Nicholas Cathedral to pray and to ask St Nicholas for help. Their prayers were answered and from the heavens St Nicholas appeared with a sword in his hand. The frightened Tartars fled and the city was spared.

Since then St Nicholas has been portrayed in this way as the protector of the city of Mozhaisk.