Image of Edessa

Historical Context

The catalogue associates this icon with Gavriil Frolov and dates it provisionally to 1885. The exact maker, workshop, and object date should be checked against the source.

Depiction Analysis

The Image of Edessa tradition portrays the face of Christ upon a cloth. This particular example should be inspected before specifying the border, inscriptions, or facial treatment.

Theological Significance

The image belongs to the Orthodox tradition of the Holy Face, associated with the belief that Christ's likeness was miraculously impressed upon cloth. The underlying Edessa account is a later tradition, not a canonical Gospel episode.

Historical Significance

This nineteenth-century example demonstrates the continuity of established sacred image types rather than a universal movement toward Western naturalism.

Influence

Holy Face icons continued to shape Orthodox devotional imagery and church decoration.

Study References

AVWJ Bible Art 2819; attribution to Gavriil Frolov and 1885 date require source verification.