JJ-5050/2

Containers:

Box SC-07 Box 1, Folder 8, Item SC07.02.3.060

Creator:

Hammer Galleries

Extent:

1 page

Scope and content:

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] Article No. JJ-5050/2 Exquisite oval icon of the "Madonna of Kazan". It is painted on ivory in a charming combination of water colors. The Greek symbols are for "Mother of God", "Jesus Christ" and "Kazanski Mother of God". The icon has a brass rim and is framed in rose velvet; it is backed with rose ribbed silk. Attached is the original government inventory tag, the abbreviations of which read: "Alexander Palace Museum, Children's Apartments, Classroom of the Older Grand Duchesses Number 644/III". These were the daughters of Nicholai II, whose palace was located in Tsarskoye Selo. This icon was undoubtedly executed by the Tsarina of Russia, a talented artist, whose work is easily recognized by her choice of colors and the fact that she invariably marked her paintings with the initials of her maiden name, Hesse. The fascinating history of icons can be traced back to the time of the pyramids in Egypt, but the oldest examples are to be found today in the Russian churches. The primary influence was that of the Byzantine, which accounts for their resemblance to the Italian primitives, with which we are more familiar. The spiritual feeling in these works of art is the expression of the monks, who executed them after long and fervent prayer. Larger icons are usually painted on wooden plaques; the small ones were more personal and were worn about the neck or carried in the pocket to be near at hand in time of need.

Mrs. John L. Pratt October 2nd, 1937

FROM THE HAMMER COLLECTION – 682 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK

Language:

English

Acquisition information:

Gift of Lillian Thomas Pratt.

Biographical / historical:

American--1

Physical description:

Paper

Physical facet:

Sales records

Other descriptive data:

Hammer Collection, Hammer Galleries, Fifth Avenue

Digitization of the Lillian Thomas Pratt Archives has been made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Names:

Hammer Galleries

Places:

New York (N.Y.)

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