The artwork titled “Saint Alexander Nevsky and Saint Tsarina Alexandra” is an icon created by the collective known as Orthodox Icons, circa 1900. It belongs to a series dedicated to saints and is classified within the genre of iconography, which is a traditional form of religious art in Eastern Orthodoxy. This particular icon portrays two revered saints within the Orthodox tradition.
The artwork presents two full-length figures against a gold backdrop that signifies the divine light often associated with holy personages in iconography. On the left stands Saint Alexander Nevsky, depicted as a bearded man in a red cape over a white armor tunic, with a green skirt-like garment. He holds a sword and a shield, which symbolize his role as a defender of the Russian lands against invaders during the 13th century. His presence as a military leader and a prince is further indicated by his regal attire and the assured stance he adopts.
Adjacent to him, on the right, is Saint Tsarina Alexandra, shown with a serene expression. She wears a rich blue robe accented with gold and red, indicative of her royal status. In one hand, she holds a small cross, referencing her Christian piety and martyrdom. Her head is covered with a white headdress adorned with pearls, and a halo encircles her head, highlighting her sanctity.
Above, between the two saints, floats an angel, suggesting divine approval and the blessing of their sanctified status. The holy figures themselves are framed by inscriptions in Church Slavonic script that identify them, and the overall style of the icon is one marked by solemnity and symbolic representation, common in ecclesiastical art. The painting serves not only as a work of art but as a devotional object intended for veneration and contemplation within the Orthodox Christian faith.
