Icon - Extended Deesis - Wood

Christ “in the midst of the Twelve,” that is, Christ the Teacher / Pantocrator seated, blessing with his right hand and with the Gospel open.

Christ in the center, seated on a throne, with a red mantle and a blue tunic (a typical sign: humanity + divinity).

On both sides appear the apostles (some standing and others leaning downward), many with filacteries (rolls) bearing texts in ecclesiastical Slavonic.

At the top more heads with halos can be distinguished, completing the group of disciples around the Lord.

It is an image of Christ teaching His Church, surrounded by the apostles: Christ as “Teacher” and “Judge/Lord,” source of the Gospel doctrine.

Above, in red, one can read a sign like “Гдь Вседержитель” (Slavic abbreviation for “Lord Pantocrator / Almighty”), very common in Russian icons.

Saint Peter: usually near Christ, with a more mature appearance (sometimes short hair and a beard).

Saint Paul (though not one of the Twelve, in icons he often appears with them): long beard and broad forehead.

Saint John the Evangelist: usually younger, with a short beard or almost no beard, sometimes leaning toward Christ.

Egg tempera on panel

You can see craquelure (fine cracks) typical of old tempera.

Matte and “dry” colors (not shiny as oil).

Red and blue colors are applied in thin layers.

The red and black letters are typical of Russian icon painting.

The background appears as aged dark ochre.

A certificate of authenticity is issued, endorsed by the Ministry of Culture of Estonia.