Week Icon (Sedmitza)

Rarity.
At the center of the composition, Christ is enthroned, flanked by the Mother of God and John the Baptist, as well as the Archangels. Above him appears God the Father, who has raised both hands in blessing. Above, six image fields arranged in two registers with the depiction of God the Father on the six days of creation adjoin. To the left and right, three rectangular image fields each
complete the composition with Christ’s Descent into Hades, the Beheading of John the Baptist, the Washing of Feet, the Synaxis of the Archangels, the Annunciation, and the Crucifixion. 18 image fields line the edge. The four Evangelists appear in the corners. At the upper edge, a depiction of the Eucharist as a sign of the mystical presence of Christ. Church Fathers, Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops, Monks, Nuns, and Fools for Christ appear along the edge. Icon executed in very fine painting. The faces are individualized by means of deliberately placed highlights.
The garments in dominant blue, red and brown tones are structured by fine chrysography. In the background, partly elaborately executed architectural backdrops.