Artwork
Saints Boris and Gleb
Saints Boris and Gleb is a tempera painting. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Two men ride on horseback in ornate robes and tall hats, the horses at a gallop, set against a decorative ground of swirling lines. The matching patterned dress and shaped hats mark them as a pair; each seems to hold something, though it is hard to make out. Tempera, 1700.
Subject & Meaning
The painting titled Saints Boris and Gleb, created in 1700 by an anonymous Russian artist, portrays the two saints revered in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The painting titled Saints Boris and Gleb, created in 1700 by an anonymous Russian artist, portrays the two saints revered in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Rendered in tempera on panel, the work exemplifies 18th‑century Russian religious art, emphasizing the saints’ holy status through traditional iconography of regal attire and solemn expression. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, the piece serves as a devotional image that reflects the veneration of Boris and Gleb within Russian cultural tradition.
Technique & Style
Created in 1700 by an anonymous Russian artist, this religious work is executed in tempera on a wooden panel. The painting measures 31.8 cm in height and 27 cm in width. Stylistically, the composition focuses on the depiction of two saints accompanied by a horse and a male figure, adhering to traditional iconographic conventions of the period.
The use of tempera on panel was a standard medium for Russian religious icons of this era, allowing for precise detailing and a matte finish characteristic of the genre. The work's classification as a painting within the religious genre underscores its devotional function, while its survival in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art indicates a stable condition suitable for preservation and display.
History & Provenance
The icon titled "Saints Boris and Gleb" was created circa 1700 by an anonymous Russian painter as a tempera panel intended for religious devotion. The work, classified as a painting within the religious genre, was executed in the early 18th‑century Russian artistic tradition. Its authorship is attributed to an unnamed master, and the exact patron who commissioned the piece is not recorded in the available documentation.
After its creation, the icon entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display in the museum’s galleries. The painting measures approximately 31.8 cm in height and 27 cm in width, confirming its modest devotional scale.
The tempera painting Saints Boris and Gleb, created circa 1700 by an anonymous Russian artist, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, executed on a panel measuring 31.8 by 27 centimeters, depicts two saints alongside a horse. While the museum's acquisition confirms its location within their holdings, the provided records do not list a specific accession number or detail any past exhibitions for this piece.
Overview
This tempera painting, titled Saints Boris and Gleb, presents two figures mounted on horses. Both individuals are adorned in elaborate robes and headwear, while their steeds are captured in a dynamic, galloping pose. The background features a complex arrangement of swirling lines and abstract forms, contributing to the overall decorative quality of the composition. The artwork utilizes tempera, a medium known for its distinct visual properties.
Artist & collection
Sfântul Gheorghe omorând balaurul
Three Female Saints
Trei Ierarhi
Sfinții Mucenici Gheorghe și Teodor
Sfinții mucenici
Sfântul Dumitru
Sf. Teodor Tiron
Sfântul Dimitrie
În spațiul dreptunghiular creat prin scobire(rezultă o ramă de 3 cm lățime), sunt pictați, în ax vertical, Sfinții trei ierarhi Vasile, Grigorie și Ioan. Stratul pictural fiind înnegrit, nu se pot identifica exact fiecare din cei trei sfinți. Probabil ca cel din centru să fie Sf. Ioan Gură de Aur, cu părul și barba albe, în stânga fiind sf. Vasile cel Mare iar în dreapta sf. Grigorie Noul Teolog, toți în picioare. Toți trei țin în mîini cartea Sfântă.Veșmintele sunt arhierești, patrafirele au cruci în linii subțiri, doi dintre ei au veșmântul împodobit cu șiruri de puncte albe. Fondul este aurit, aureolele trasate cu linii subțiri, negre, în stilul icoanelor lipovenești. Pe partea de sus a ramei o inscripție în același stil. La mijloc chipul lui Isus și monogramul Acestuia.
The Annunciation
