depicting the founders of monastic life on the Solovetsky Islands, Saints Zosima and Savatiy, flanking an image of the Solovki Monastery built on the shores of the White Sea, the upper portion of the Monastery complex with scenes from the life of Christ, including the Dormition of Mary and the Transfiguration, a small image of the Annunciation appears at the bottom. Egg tempera and gesso on wood panel with kovcheg. Two insert splints on the back, both missing. 32.5 x 26.5 cm (12 3/4 x 10 3/8 in.) Accompanied by an original box with labels from the 1932 Hammer Gallery exhibition.

Bernard J. Winters was a philanthropist and art collector who was captivated by Russian icons. Over a fifty-year period, he worked closely with Sotheby`s, Christie`s, and private collectors to cultivate his collection. His monumental icons, as well as those purchased from Natalie Hays Hammond, daughter of John Hays Hammond, diplomat, were some of his favored items.


PROVENANCE
Winter Palace Collection, Russia
Armand Hammer, Hammer Galleries, New York
Natalie Hays Hammond, daughter of John Hays Hammond, famous mining engineer, diplomat, and philantropist, circa 1937
Collection of Bernard Winters, Armonk, New York, as of 1965 (acquired directly from Natalie Hammond)

EXHIBITED
New York, NY, Hammer Galleries, Russian Imperial Exhibition, August 2-31, 1937
North Salem, Westchester County, New York, The Hammond Museum, Faiths: An Exhibition based upon the definition in the Epistle to the Hebrews, xi, 1., April 1965.