This intriguing late 18th-century double-sided Romanian icon depicts the ‘Three Holy Hierarchs’ & the baptism of Christ. It’s a fascinating survivor.

Rendered in tempera and gold leaf on a wooden panel, double-sided icons, such as this from around 1790, were often suspended from liturgical polycandela (candelabras) and swung by the clergy. They were popular in Orthodox churches, such as those in the Balkans and Greece.

On one side, we see the ‘Three Holy Hierarchs’, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, influential bishops, highly venerated for their roles in shaping early Christian theology. While on the other, there’s a depiction of the baptism whereby Jesus is humbly standing in the Jordan River in the presence of an angel. John is dressed in simple garments and holding a staff.

Icons were (and indeed still are) considered as ‘windows to heaven’, essentially conduits between one’s prayers and God. They were often the product of provincial workshops and intended to connect the viewer with the divine. Transylvanian muralist, Simion Silaghi Zugravu, is one of the better-known figures working in this field during the period. It’s interesting to compare ours with his Baptism of the Lord, from 1776, which is currently at the Mănăstireni Church in Cluj County.

The rendering of the pronounced joints - elbows, knees, and shoulders etc, is particularly unusual, and we’ve been able to find just one comparable example. It was described as late 18th century, ‘post-Brâncovenant school, probably Oltenia’.

Medium: Tempera and gilt on panel
Overall size: 7” x 8½” / 18cm x 22cm
Year of creation: c. 1790
Provenance: Private collection, France.
Condition: Lightly cleaned. Unrestored due to the potential cultural significance of this piece. Conservation can be undertaken at no cost following discussion. Craquelure in areas, various losses and areas of discolouration, partially due to handling.
Our reference: BRV2152