Icon: The Savior, King of Kings

oil on panel, with one sponge embedded in the back of the panel; 53.5 x 43.3 x 2.8 cm.
Russia, mid-19th century.
The Savior in a Deesis composition. The Deesis motif is taken from the iconostasis, where it is the most significant depiction. In Greek, “Deesis” means intercession or intercessory prayer; thus, this scene visualizes the intercession of the Saints.
At the center is the figure of Christ as King of Kings. Jesus Christ sits on a magnificent throne, clothed in royal robes decorated with a motif of multicolored stones; a miter rests upon His head. The Savior blesses with His right hand, while His left rests on a globe, holding a scepter. To His right stands Mary Paraklesis in the pose of an intercessor, holding an unrolled scroll in her right hand; to His left stands Saint John the Baptist Prodromos, also holding an unrolled scroll. Beside the throne are depicted the symbols of the Evangelists (as mentioned in the Revelation of St. John the Theologian): St. Matthew—a man, St. Mark—a lion, St. Luke—an ox, and St. John—an eagle.
The background of the icon is framed by a white line and a dark band. Explanatory inscriptions are in Cyrillic.