The artwork titled “Simeon Stylites (Palekh)” was created by the artist Orthodox Icons around the year 1850. This piece belongs to the genre of iconography and is part of the “Saints” series.
In the artwork, we observe a detailed portrayal of scenes from the life of St. Simeon Stylites, a Christian ascetic saint who lived upon a small platform on a pillar for several decades. The central image depicts Simeon perched on his elevated pillar, a symbol of his devout asceticism. Surrounding the central element, numerous smaller vignettes illustrate various episodes and miracles associated with his life, depicted with intricate detail and vibrant colors characteristic of Palekh icon art. The background shows a cracked and weathered patina, adding to the historical and reverent aura of the piece. Icons and inscriptions in Russian around the edges provide further context to the depicted scenes, enhancing the narrative depth and spiritual significance of the artwork.