UNKNOWN ICON PAINTER, Russian
(2nd half of 17th century)

St Luke the Apostle and Evangelist

1650-1700
Egg tempera on spruce, 55 x 43 cm
Ikonen-Museum, Recklinghausen

This icon of the evangelist at work, which was once in the Royal Door of an iconostasis, is painted in a style characteristic of the painting of the late 17th century in the city of Yaroslavl, which is located on the Volga to the north of Moscow. This style is distinguished by exuberant architectural depiction, meticulous ornamentation, and miniature-like details. It reflects the opulence of the city, which in the 17th century experienced an economic and cultural heyday as one of Russia's most important trading centres.