SHOWCASE 3. THE CRUCIFIXION WITH THE TWO THIEVES

A high relief icon ‘The Crucifixion with the Two Thieves’ made in the late quarter of the 17th century by the carvers of the Armoury Chamber originates from Chudov Monastery of the Moscow Kremlin.

A multi-figured composition of the icon in a deep frame represents the scene of the crucifixion of Jesus at Golgotha. Stylistic features and art quality allows comparing the carving with small carved altars spread in Western and Eastern Europe beginning from the Middle Ages.

This work is an example of one movement in Russian art in the second half of the 17th century—taking Western Europe pieces of art for a model. The Armoury Chamber workshops were the centre of this movement—beginning from the mid-17th century there were many craftsmen from abroad, including Polish and Belorussian masters, brought to Moscow by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Thanks to them, new instruments were introduced in Russia and West-European engravings served as models.

The central part of this icon replicates one West-European carving which was made after Peter Paul Rubens’s painting "Strike with a Lance" of 1620. The carvers make alternations according to the Russian icon tradition and add some more figures. This carving can be referred to specimens of the early Russian Baroque, which later, predominated in Russian plastic Art next century.