A Collection of Christ Pantocrator Icons

I've recently been finding many icons of Christ Pantocrator, as well as other depictions, so I thought I'd share my favorites.

This icon is more realistic. It's possible that it was a commission by an Old Believer merchant in the 19th century, which tended to be slightly more realistic. The coloring here is beautiful.

Christ is slightly red-tinted here, which might be due to the camera. The gilding is astonishing here, and the fabric details of Christ's robe are ornate and precise. This icon probably cost quite a lot in its time.

This is the Savior of Smolensk icon. The amount of light communicated here is unique, but the origin of this icon is curious. We can see that Christ uses the two-fingered sign of the cross, but St. Varlaam on the right is using a Greek style prayer rope, not a lestovka. Once again, this is probably a commission for an Old Believer in a Nikonian workshop. The academic influence is clear; observe the clouds and the intricate shading on the Cross at the top left.

This is a more simple icon than the above - it isn't done using academic painting at all. This is Christ in Power, on his throne. This exhibits signs of the Mstera style, and was at least influenced by it.

This is another Savior of Smolensk icon in an unusual form: a cross. St. Michael and St. Fabriel are on either side, and St. Varlaam and St. Sergous of Radonezh pray in a beautiful landscape.

This is by icon painter Constantine Ivanov, and is contemporary. Notice the emphasis on the two-fingered sign of the cross, and the clouds all around.

This is a simple icon. What looks like gilt is either extremely thin or simply gold paint, but the artistry is very good. This was probably done in a smaller workshop.
I hope you enjoyed this article! Господи Исусе Христе сыне Божий помилуй нас грешники.


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