This white bone folding icon features seven compositions on six panels. The first panel is the Resurrection of Christ. It includes the image of Christ in a mandorla as He leads the Patriarch Adam by the hand. To the left of Christ, there is the kneeling Eve who bows to Him humbly.
The second panel depicts the Assembly of Archangel Michael. It is characterized by a harmonious composition. The shape of the disk with the image of the Christ Child in the center is echoed by the circular movement of the angels who surround the sacred image. Their wings add structure and ornateness to the artistic image.
The third panel includes two compositions at once: the Beheading of John the Baptist and the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Instead of a square composition, this panel features two narrow vertical scenes. Both compositions are very elaborate.
Each of the two scenes includes two figures. In the left one, the painter depicted the very moment of execution when a warrior swings his sword at John wearing a sackcloth made of hair (an ascetic’s robe). Nearby, in the bottom right corner of the composition, there is a platter with the severed head. In the right part of the panel, there is the scene of the Annunciation with a hurrying archangel and Mary standing on an elevated platform. Both compositions are set against an architectural background.
The subject of the fourth panel — “Washing of the Feet” — is quite rare. It depicts the event before the Last Supper with Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. The twelve apostles are seated in two rows in front of Christ. John is holding a bowl of water. The apostles are facing each other, engaged in a conversation. Only Jesus seems detached from the world, deep in His thoughts, as if waiting for the predetermined betrayal and execution.
The fifth panel shows
the Crucifixion of Christ with the mournful figures of the Virgin Mary and Mary
Magdalene on Christ’s right, and John and Longinus the Centurion on His left.
The sixth panel features the composition “The Council of All Saints” with
twenty-five figures. The righteous are depicted in groups, with the names of
their ranks above them: forefathers, venerable saints, martyrs, prophets,
passion bearers, apostles, and saints. Above all of them, Christ is stretching
out His arms in a blessing.
