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Artist
Novgorod School
Title
The Royal Gates
Date
15th Century
Culture
Russian
Medium
Tempera on wood panel
Dimensions
Left, 169.5 x 41.3 cm (66-3/4 x 16-1/4 in.); Right, 169.2 x 39.7 cm (66-5/8 x 15-5/8 in.)
Accession Number
1968:001
Credit Line
Novgorod school, The Royal Gates, 15th century, tempera on wood panel, left, 169.5 x 41.3 cm (66-3/4 x 16-1/4 in.), right, 169.2 x 39.7 cm (66-5/8 x 15-5/8 in.), Putnam Foundation, Timken Museum of Art
Full view of The Royal Gates
Description
The Royal Gates, or Czar's Doors, set in the center of the iconostas', were so-called because Christ, the King of Glory as represented by his priests, enters the Royal Gates that lead to the altar. A curtain hung on the inside is drawn or opened during various parts of the divine service.
Placed together, the doors depict the Annunciation at the top, where the Archangel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she is to become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. The other four panels show the evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Related Information / Media

Provenance

A la Vieille Russie, New York; Acquired by the Putnam Foundation, 1968

Note

This record has been reviewed by Timken Museum of Art staff and may be incomplete or contain errors. Our records are constantly revised. Inquiries about provenance are advised to contact the Director of Curatorial Affairs: curator@timkenmuseum.org.