depicts the Archangel Gabriel announcing the impending birth of Jesus Christ to the Holy Virgin presented against a very detailed architectural landscape of Nazareth; the Archangel is depicted on the left, blessing the Holy Virgin who holds a skein of a red yarn (symbolic of the incarnation of Christ) close to her bosom; the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descends from Heaven with the three colored rays symbolizing the Holy Trinity. Egg tempera, gold leaf and gesso on wood panel with a kovcheg. Two insert splints on the back. Mosgostorg sales tag with an inscription dated 1931 on the verso. 31.5 x 27 cm (12 3/8 x 10 5/8 in.)

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
Collection of Bernard Winters, Armonk, New York