List of oldest Russian icons

Contents

This is a list of the oldest Russian icons that were painted before and during the reign of Alexander Nevsky (1220–1263).

1000–1130

ImageName and dateProvenanceCurrent location
Russo-Byzantine icons (possibly painted by Greek artists in Kievan Rus)
Saviour in a Golden Riza c. 1050 (overpainted in 1699)Saint Sophia Cathedral in NovgorodDormition Cathedral, Moscow
Saints Peter and Paul c. 1050 (partly overpainted in the 16th century)Saint Sophia Cathedral in NovgorodNovgorod Art Museum
Saint George // Hodegetria (double-sided) c. 1100Yuriev Monastery Dormition Cathedral, MoscowDormition Cathedral, Moscow
Theotokos of Vladimir c. 1100Dormition Cathedral, Vladimir Dormition Cathedral, Moscow State Tretyakov Gallery (Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi)Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

1130–1200

ImageName and dateProvenanceCurrent location
Icons of Novgorod
Ustyug Annunciation, c. 1130Yuriev Monastery Cathedral of the AnnunciationState Tretyakov Gallery
Saint George c. 1130Yuriev MonasteryState Tretyakov Gallery
The Sign (double-sided) c. 1150Saint Sophia Cathedral in NovgorodSaint Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod
The Mandylion (double-sided) c. 1180Dormition Cathedral, MoscowTretyakov Gallery
The Angel with Golden HairRumyantsev MuseumState Russian Museum
EleusaDormition Cathedral, MoscowState Tretyakov Gallery
Saint Nicholas c. 1200Novodevichy ConventState Tretyakov Gallery
Icons of Vladimir-Suzdal
Theotokos of Bogolyubovo 1155BogolyubovoConvent of Princesses, Vladimir
Our Lady of Saint Theodore // Saint Paraskevi (double-sided)Gorodets-on-the-Volga (Alexander Nevsky's family)Theophany Monastery, Kostroma
Deesis with the Archangels 1180s?Dormition Cathedral, MoscowState Tretyakov Gallery

1200–1250

ImageName and dateProvenanceCurrent location
Icons of Vladimir and Suzdal
Deesis with John the Baptist and the VirginDormition Cathedral, MoscowState Tretyakov Gallery
Saint Michael Appearing to Joshua 1190s? 1210s?Dormition Cathedral, MoscowDormition Cathedral, Moscow
Demetrius of Thessaloniki 1190s? 1210s?Dormition Cathedral, Dmitrov (a gift from Vsevolod III)State Tretyakov Gallery
Saviour of Golden Locks (Christ Chalkites) c. 1200Dormition Cathedral, Moscow (probably brought from Yaroslavl)Dormition Cathedral, Moscow
Icons of Yaroslavl and Rostov
Orans of Yaroslavl (Great Panagia) c. 1220Dormition Cathedral, YaroslavlState Tretyakov Gallery
Saviour of Yaroslavl (Christ Pantocrator) c. 1220Dormition Cathedral, YaroslavlYaroslavl Art Museum
Michael the Archangel c. 1220Archangel Cathedral, YaroslavlState Tretyakov Gallery
The MandylionNovlenskoye (near Poshekhonye)State Tretyakov Gallery
Christ Pantocrator c. 1250Gavshinka Church near YaroslavlAndrei Rublev Museum (Andronikov Monastery)
Theotokos of Tolga EnthronedTolga Monastery, YaroslavlState Tretyakov Gallery
Theotokos of KashinSt. Demetrius Monastery, KashinKalyazin Art Museum
Icons of Novgorod and Belozersk
The Cloud Dormition c. 1200Monastery of the Tithes, NovgorodState Tretyakov Gallery
Our Lady of the Sign // Saint JulianaZverin Monastery, NovgorodPavel Korin's collection at the Tretyakov Gallery
Eleusa of Staraya RussaStaraya RussaState Russian Museum
Theotokos of Belozersk c. 1220Belozersk CathedralState Russian Museum
Saints Peter and PaulChurch of Sts. Peter and Paul BelozerskState Russian Museum
St. John Climacus with Sts. George and Blaise c. 1250Krestsy near NovgorodState Russian Museum