The given icon depicts Saints Cosmas and Damian of Asia, who lived in the 4th century. They were born to a Greek couple and were taught medicine by their Christian mother. Cosmas and Damian of Asia went down in religious history as doctors who never took payment for their services and told their patients about the Christian faith. The distinct artistic style of the icon indicates that it was painted in the late 19th century by the master from Guslitsy, the center of Old Believer's religious life.

Saint Nicholas, the Archbishop of Myra, is one of the most venerated and respected saints of the Christian world. The featured icon from our collection depicts the saint together with 16 hagiographical scenes dedicated to his miracles and life. Resonating colors and a monochromic approach to faces are proof that the piece was created at one of the iconographic centers of the Vladimir region, possibly Palekh. That’s also how we know that the work dates back to the second quarter of the 19th century.