18th Century Russian Icon St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Circa 1780

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18th-Century Russian Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, circa 1780

A finely painted and richly gilded Russian Orthodox icon depicting … Read more 18th-Century Russian Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, circa 1780

A finely painted and richly gilded Russian Orthodox icon depicting St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, dating to the late 18th century, circa 1780. Executed in egg tempera and gold leaf on a hardwood panel with a traditional recessed border and shponki (back slats), this icon measures approximately 14.5 inches high by 12 inches wide.

St. Nicholas is shown frontally, blessing with his right hand and holding an open Gospel in his left. His vestments are crisply detailed with black crosses and finely tooled gold, while his facial expression conveys the compassionate dignity associated with his role as a protector and miracle worker. Christ Pantokrator appears in a roundel over his right shoulder, symbolizing the moment of episcopal ordination—a hallmark of traditional Nicholas iconography.

The Slavonic text on the open book is a traditional excerpt from Luke 6:17 and Matthew 5:7:

"О ВРЕМЯ ОНО СТА ИИС НА МЕСТЕ РАВНЕ И НА РОД ЧЕЛОВЕЧЕСКИЙ И МНОЖЕСТВО НАРОДА"

Translation:
"At that time, Jesus stood on a level place, and a great multitude of people..." (Luke 6:17, partial) The icon retains its original gilded and polychrome surface, with visible craquelure throughout and an area of later inpainting in the upper right corner, stable and professionally blended.

The reverse shows its original hand-cut wooden backing and structural slats. An evocative and authentic example of 18th-century Russian devotional art, ready to hang and admire.

Dimensions: 14.5" H x 12" W x approx. 1" D

Further Condition Report:
The inpainting in the upper right corner of the icon is visible as an area of slightly darker and more uniform reddish pigment that subtly differs in tone and surface texture from the surrounding original work. It appears to have been applied to address prior losses or abrasion to the red border and background gilding, likely where the original paint had flaked or worn away. The restoration is limited in scope—confined to the corner—and was executed with care to preserve the overall aesthetic integrity of the piece. The inpainting does not interfere with the central image or iconography and is professionally blended, though distinguishable under close inspection. It remains stable and visually unobtrusive. See less