Tempera

2005.02

Betsy Scheuring

Gift

Gift of Betsy Scheuring

19th Century

Makers Mark

Under bottom edge of riza

СГ, 84

Cyrillic

SG, 84

Marks are a bit eroded and hard to read

12 in

10 in

1-1/4 in

Spirit Made Tangible: The Scheuring Icon Collection (2006)

Surveying the Sacred: Analysis of the Scheuring Collection of Eastern Orthodox Icons (2025)

Cultural/Historical Context

"St. Vladimir is famous for beginning the Christianization of Russia in the late 10th century. He converted from paganism in order to marry his fifth wife, the sister of Emperor Basil II in Constantinople, and upon returning to Kiev he renounced his pagan wives. He was the father of Sts. Boris and Gleb, featured in 2005.02.092 and 2005.02.116. St. Vladimir stands with his eyes cast toward heaven, one hand below his long white beard, the other holding a tri-bar cross in front of him. His expression is somber and he wears royal clothes that echo the downward angles of his face. The painting’s style was influenced by Western European trends. The finely crafted silver frame, with its floral pattern and enameling in dark blue, light blue, cream, lavender, pink, green, and maroon, is exquisite. The floor tiles beneath the saint show an effect of linear perspective and the drapery falls realistically, but St. Vladimir’s figure is elongated in the traditional Byzantine fashion. "