Date: 16th century
Materials and technics: Tempera on wood
Dimensions: H. 28,5 x w. 23,8 cm
Inscription: Inscription in greek : "O W H"
Inventory number: PPP4904
Acquisition details: Roger Cabal bequest, 1997
Room: 41
This work does not reproduce the veil bearing the impression of Christ’s face, but the features are conventional, with a high forehead, straight nose and long wavy hair.
The smooth beard ending in a single point is typically Russian and is related to the image of the Saviour with a wet beard. This is an allusion to the fact that Christ is said to have washed his face before sending his portrait to Abgar. The face of Christ has been reinserted into a more recent wooden board. This common practice enabled the old parts of damaged icons to be saved and therefore to avoid losing holy images.
The halo bears the Greek initials for the name by which God revealed himself to Moses: “I am who I am” (Ex. 3,14).
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