Icon - Old Testament Trinity - Wood

The iconography of the Trinity in the Old Testament is based mainly on the biblical episode of Abraham's hospitality at the Oaks of Mamre, where three mysterious pilgrims (angels) appear to Abraham and Sarah.

Biblical and theological foundation

• Theophany at Mamre: Abraham sees three men but speaks to them in the singular ("my Lord"), a textual paradox that Christian tradition has read as the first veiled prefiguration of the mystery of the Trinity.
• Symbolism: In ancient and medieval Christian art, the three angels have been interpreted not as three gods, but as the visible representation of the three divine persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), since the essence of God remains invisible.

Moscow-Russia
Tempera on gold leaf, raised ornamentation
31.5 x 27 cm.
Wood Levkas
Late 19th century
NOT RESTORED