These two icons come from the Deisis level of an iconostasis. This screen separating the choir from the nave of orthodox churches is covered in icons laid out in a traditional order.
The Deisis in the centre is composed of the Omnipotent Christ between the Mother of God and Saint John the Baptist, surrounded by the archangels Michael and Gabriel representing the celestial forces standing guard around the Lord.
These icons were probably painted in northern Russia, as is suggested by the large faces of the archangels, their rather squat bodies and the economy of colours used – white, black, ochre, green and red.
