Oliver Samsinger

"Birth of Christ" after a Russian icon of the 15th century. Oliver Samsinger

Icon of THE KORSUN VIRGIN (KORSUNSKAYA), egg tempera, and gold leave on gesso, over a piece of wood. Dimensions: (H) 26.5 x (W) 23.5 x (D) 3 cm. Also called The Holy Virgin of Tenderness, represents the Mother of God and infant Christ in a tender cheek-to-cheek embrace. The Virgin's hands tenderly surround the head and hands of the Child Jesus while he takes the cloak of the Mother of God with his left hand and plays with the fingers of his right hand, between his mother's neck and his own. Two very old icons, from the 12th and 13th Centuries, painted on the same theme, are respectively in the Uspenskii Cathedral in Moscow and in the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. This is how the artist sums up the technique used by him to create the icon: “The aim of these steps is to create a durable painting. The icon is eternal. The first step is to choose a support, traditionally made of wood, from the center of the trunk to avoid warping it. For this purpose, two hardwood bolts were often used on the back to give the picture panel additional stability. Often a frame is milled out. Then the image carrier is sanded smooth and now 12 or 14 thin layers of gesso are applied and sanded smooth as well. Then the preliminary drawing is applied and the drawing board is prepared with a special preparation called bolus. This bolus can be polished to a high gloss. Afterward, the gold leaf is "shot" with special brushes. It dries up within a few hours and can now be polished with agate. Gold leaf is real 24-carat gold. Now, the actual process of painting begins. Egg tempera is made fresh from egg yolk, water and a little vinegar. This is used to prepare the color pigments. Tempera painting is done in numerous layers from dark to light. When the icon is finished, it is left to dry for a few months and varnished with a special varnish called Olifa made from boiled linseed oil and other ingredients”. ABOUT THE ARTIST Oliver Samsinger...

The Virgin of Tijvin (after a Russian icon in the style of the 18th Century). Egg tempera and gold leaf on gesso over wood. Measurements in centimeters: 45 x 36.5 x 3 cm / In inch...

The Virgin of Kataphyge with Saint John the Evangelist, after a Bulgarian Byzantine icon of the 14th Century. Egg tempera and gold leaf on gesso and wood. Author: Oliver Samsinger...

Icon of Our Lady of Jerusalem. Egg tempera on gesso and over a wooden board. Dimensions in centimeters: 42 x 34 x 2 cm / In inches: 16.54 x 13-39 x 0-79 " Author: Oliver Samsinger...

The Nativity, c.1900 German Chromolithograph “The Birth of Jesus” (Printed in Germany) This beautiful early 20th-century German chromolithograph of “The Birth of Jesus” is a richly detailed devotional scene showing the Nativity as it appeared in the finest German religious prints of the period. Produced around 1900–1920 by a major German devotional press, the work exemplifies the warmth, luminous colour, and emotional clarity that made these chromolithographs treasured in Catholic households across Europe and the Americas. The composition presents the Virgin Mary and Joseph watching over the Christ Child, who lies upon a bed of straw illuminated by a radiant divine beam. Shepherds kneel and bow in reverence, offering homage with humble gestures and simple gifts, while others approach from the right carrying lambs. The soft modelling of the figures, the golden haloes, the warm earth tones of the stable interior, and the vivid reds and greens of the shepherds’ garments all reflect the layered stone-colour technique of true chromolithography. Each hue is built from multiple ink plates, creating the velvety gradients and luminous highlights that distinguish authentic chromolithographs from later reproductions. Along the lower left margin, multilingual titles identify the subject for international distribution: “Die Geburt Jesu. The Birth of Jesus. La Nativité. La nascita di Gesù. El nacimiento de Jesús…” This multilingual caption is typical of German religious publishers who exported devotional art worldwide during the early 20th century. The imprint “Printed in Germany” further confirms its origin in one of the major German chromolithographic centres such as Munich, Dresden, or Cologne, all of which specialised in high-quality Catholic imagery during this period. This piece is unquestionably an original chromolithograph, not a modern reproduction. The print displays the characteristic stone-layered pigment structure, stippled textures, and warm matte surface associated with genuine chromolithographic production. The natural toning of the paper, the crisp plate text, and the nuanced colour transitions further confirm its authenticity. These Nativity scenes were often framed near family altars and are now increasingly sought after for both devotional use and interior display. Condition Report: Very good condition. Colours bright and unfaded. Minor edge toning and small handling traces consistent with age. No tears, losses, creases, or repairs. Caption and imprint line remain sharp and fully legible. Best displayed in a gilded or walnut frame to enhance the golden haloes and warm palette of the stable scene. A cream or ivory mat will complement the tender atmosphere and highlight the luminous tones. A slim black frame with a wide mat offers a modern gallery presentation while preserving the devotional character. Technique: Chromolithograph Maker: German Devotional Press, printed in Germany, c.1900 nativity birth of jesus die geburt jesu adoration of the shepherds holy family christ child virgin mary st joseph shepherds catholic art religious art devotional print chromolithograph german chromolithograph printed in germany antique lithograph early 20th century religious print christian iconography christmas art epiphany art holy family scene fine chromolitho religious ephemera antique christian art...

Russian Icon, oil on wood, with beautiful cloisonné enamel around. Icon is surrounded with floral motifs decorative insert that is placed into the thick carved wooden frame. Icon is signed verso with dedication to the church that it was made for. c. 1860s 23.5”h x 20.5”w, overall size is 47.5” x 34” Writing on the back of the icon says: "Painted family icon was donated to the church of the name of Pokrova of Virgin Mary with additions of flora and laurel and with 3 saints: Vasiliy the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom by people born at the village of Gubino and later by the merchant Vasiliy Miheev from Saint Petersburg with his wife Tatiana Yakovleva-Miheeva. Done in the memory of completion of this church with stone fence...

A remarkable antique Russian Orthodox icon, hand-painted on wood and dated 1761. This icon depicts the Dormition of the Mother of God—a profoundly significant event in Eastern Christ...

This late 19th-century icon depicts the Virgin Mary and Infant Jesus. The work demonstrates classical Byzantine painting techniques characteristic of Orthodox iconographic tradition....