Nicholas the Wonderworker with scenes from his life

Iconography:  Nicholas of Zaraysk, St., Hagiographic cycle Nicholas

Date: XVI century.

Iconographic school/art center:  Pskov icon-painting school

Material: Wood, canvas, levkas, tempera

Dimensions:  height 98,5 cm, width 79 cm

The centerpiece shows the saint in a frontal pose in the traditional attire with his hands overspread. His right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing and his left hand holds the open Gospel book on the large blue-green cloth. To the right and to the left of his halo are the half-figures of blessing Christ with the Gospel bok and the Mother of God with the omophorion. To the right and to the left of the centerpiece and above it are twelve scenes from the life and miracles of saint Nicholas. The sequence of the scenes and iconography of some scenes are unique.  

Border scenes:

1.    The Nativity of saint Nicholas
2.    Learning letters
3.    St. Nicholas consecrated as a deacon
4.    St. Nicholas consecrated as a presbyter
5.    Cutting the tree
6.    Appearance before Tsar Constantine in his sleep
7.    The transfer of St. Nicholas’s relics
8.    Appearance before three imprisoned men
9.    The death of saint Nicholas
10.    The Miracle of the sailors
11.    Saving three men from execution
12.    Returning the adolescent Basilios to his parents


Inv. № 2714. © Pskov State United Historical, Architectural and Fine Arts Museum-Reserve

Bibliography: Васильева О.А. Иконы Пскова. М., 2006. № 33. С. 124-126.

  • General view