The Dead Christ with Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist, 18th century

The Dead Christ with Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist, 18th century, North Russian School Illustrated in Richard Hare, ‘The Art and Artists of Russia’.

This icon may be a variation on the type known as the ‘Weep not for me, mother’, which depicts the Virgin Mary with the dead body of Christ. It is similar to the Western pietà. The mourning figures are John the Evangelist and the Virgin Mary. The icon is painted in a fairly conservative style which may suggest an origin in an Old Believer workshop. The Old Believers opposed 17th century reforms to the Orthodox Church in Russia.

Sign up to our newsletter