A red inscription at the top of this panel identifies the subject as “Holy Prophet Elijah.” Elijah, whose name in Hebrew means “Yahweh is my God,” is revered in both the Christian and Jewish traditions. A passionate defender of monotheism, Elijah is credited with saving the Kingdom of Israel from the pagan cult of Baal in the 9th century BCE. He was especially venerated in the Novgorod region of Russia, where he was believed to bring rain and protect against fire. Here he is shown in half length, with one hand raised in a gesture of blessing and the other holding a scroll—an iconography originating in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey).
This icon’s style and technique indicate that it was made in the school of Novgorod in the 15th century, which scholars consider to be the prime period of the style. The rigid linear network of folds in the figure’s tunic, cloak, and scarf is a signature of the Novgorod tradition. The palette of Elijah’s face, the arrangement of his braids and beard, and the shape of his eyes also conform closely to icons with established provenances from Novgorod workshops. Elijah’s facial type resembles contemporary Russian portrayals of Christ and is meant to evoke a spiritual kinship between the two. Almost all of the gold background that originally surrounded the figure has abraded to bare gesso, though visible traces remain in some cracks.
