#01313 ICON PAINTING

The painting presents a solemn scene centered around a figure lying within a dark, rectangular structure that functions as a bier or sarcophagus. This central figure is draped in white cloth, with the head resting on a cushion, and encircled by a halo indicating sacred status. The face exhibits an expression of peaceful repose, despite the evident context of death.
Surrounding this central element are four figures arranged in a hierarchical manner. To the left stands a woman clad in green, her posture suggesting grief or lamentation. Adjacent to her is a figure in vibrant red garments, arms raised in what appears to be either an expression of sorrowful supplication or a gesture of farewell. A third individual, draped in yellow-orange fabric, stands closer to the bier, their face partially obscured but conveying a sense of quiet contemplation. Finally, on the right side, another man is positioned, his posture more restrained and observant.
The background is dominated by an unusual golden expanse, punctuated with what appear to be stylized architectural forms – possibly dwellings or towers – rendered in muted yellows and browns. This backdrop creates a dreamlike quality, distancing the scene from any specific earthly location. Above the figures, inscribed in Cyrillic script, are words that likely offer a devotional inscription.
The color palette is notably restrained, relying heavily on symbolic hues: green for hope, red for sacrifice or passion, yellow-orange for divine light and serenity. The limited range of colors contributes to the painting’s overall sense of solemnity and spiritual weight.
Subtly, the composition suggests a narrative moment – a farewell, a lamentation, or perhaps a contemplation on mortality. The arrangement of figures implies a hierarchy of grief and response, while the golden background elevates the scene beyond the mundane, suggesting a transition to a higher realm. The artist’s choice to depict the central figure in repose rather than agony emphasizes themes of acceptance and spiritual transcendence over physical suffering.