Saint princes Vladimir, Boris and Gleb with scenes from the lives of Boris and Gleb
Iconography: Vladimir, St., Boris, St. Prince Martyr (baptized as Roman), Gleb, St. Prince Martyr (baptized as David), Hagiographic cycle of Boris and Gleb
Date: XVII century. Last quarter of the 17th - beginning of the 18th century
Material: Wood, levkas, tempera
Dimensions: height 148 cm, width 111 cm
The centerpiece of the icon surrounded by the narrow ornamental frame shows prince Vladimir with interceding Boris and Gleb. Each of them is depicted in the fur coats covered with the intricate ornament. Vladimir is represented in the prince’s cap. His raised right hand holds the eight-pointed cross. Boris ad Gleb are shown with the uncovered heads and keeping the caps close to their chests with their elbows.
The centerpiece is surrounded by sixteen life scenes.
Border scenes:
1. The Nativity of Boris
2. The Baptism of Boris
3. The Nativity of Gleb
4. The Baptism of Gleb
5. Vladimir sends his sons to reign in different towns.
6. Sick prince Vladimir sends Boris to battle with the Pechenegs
7. Boris and his warriors embark on a crusade against the Pechenegs
8. The death and the entombment of st. prince Vladimir
9. Svyatopolk orders to slay Boris
10. Assault on Boris in the tent and slaying adolescent George.
11. The warrior deals the final blow to Boris, the entombment of Boris in Vyshgorod.
12. Svyatopolk orders to slay Gleb, Gleb’s horse stumbles and breaks its leg.
13. Slaying Gleb in the flat-bottomed boat
14. The vision of the fiery arch above Gleb’s body put between two logs
15. Finding of Gleb’s body
16. Entombment of Gleb in Vyshgorod
General view