Ladder of John the Ladderer, St.
Iconography: Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus
Date: XVII century. The late 17th century.
Iconographic school/art center: North of Russia (Vygoretsiya).
Origin: From the Chapel of the Prophet Elijah in the village of Sholtopog, Medvezheygorsky district, the Republic of Karelia.
Material: Wood, tempera
Dimensions: height 86,5 cm, width 77,3 cm
In the upper left corner is an image of the ladder of John the Ladderer, at its foot are the monks preparing to climb it. Other monks are already climbing it. Atop the ladder a demon symbolizing vices and passions attempts to push the monks off the steps and pull them into hell depicted as a fracture. In the upper part, in a segment of heaven is the figure of Jesus Christ spreading his hand out to the blessed John. Against the Savior is the host of angels.
Inv. № И-1452. © Republic of Karelia Museum of Fine Arts
General view
A fragment
A fragment
A fragment