Icon - Wood - SAN ELIAS

“The Holy Prophet Elijah in the Desert”

Central figure (below):
Elijah appears seated in a cave or rocky landscape, with a staff, in an attitude of ascetic withdrawal. It represents his hermit life and his communion with God in solitude.
Lower-left scene:
An angel feeds Elijah, the episode narrated in the Bible (1 Kings 19), when he flees to the desert and receives bread and water to continue on his journey.
Upper central scene (very characteristic):
The chariot of fire drawn by red horses, a symbol of his ascent to heaven. This is one of Elijah’s most distinctive attributes.
Upper-left scene:
Elijah in an attitude of prayer or receiving divine revelation, often interpreted as his encounter with God on Mount Horeb.
Side scenes:
Various actions of the prophet, possibly including:
- Miracles (such as the resurrection of the widow’s son)
- Prophetic acts
- Ascetic life in the desert
Style: Narrative icon, typical of the Russian or Eastern Orthodox tradition.
Probable date: 18th–19th centuries (by technique and painting treatment).
Characteristics:
- Composition divided into scenes
- Earthy and reddish colors (very symbolic in Elijah)
- Expressive use of the landscape
Elijah is a symbol of:
- Zeal for God
- Asceticism and contemplative life
- Prophetic power
- Victory over death (ascension without dying)