Christ Pantocrator

Iconography:  Savior Enthroned (Pantocrator)

Date: XVI century. The end of the 15th - the first quarter of the 16th c.

Material: Wood, tempera

Setting's material: Silver , enamel, basma, gilding

Dimensions:  height 37,5 cm, width 32 cm

The traditional image of the Pantocrator has specific iconographic features allowing for a new interpretation of its symbolic content. The canonic image of Jesus Christ represents Jesus Christ in a strictly frontal position, draped in the purple chiton with golden clavus and the blue-green hymation, backing up a closed Gospel book; the blessing hand is always positioned strictly before the breast. This composition dictates the nature of the vestment: the hymation is hanging down from the Savior’s left shoulder so that is leaves free the blessing hand, with only a small hanging wrinkle resting on the right open shoulder. This pattern is broken by the blessing hand drawn aside, wrapped in hymation up to the wrist.

Inv. № 17832. © Novgorod State United Museum

Bibliography:

Иконы Великого Новгорода XI- начала XVI веков. Авторы проекта Л.В. Нерсесян и С.В.Обух. М. Северный паломник. 2008. №92.


  • General view
  • Face of Christ