The artwork “The Virgin Holidays. Introduction of the Virgin in Temple. The high priest Zechariah” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1907. This religious painting is executed in oil on wood and is associated with the Byzantine art movement. It forms part of the Perm iconostasis series and is currently housed at the Perm State Art Gallery in Perm, Russia.
In the artwork, the figure of the high priest Zechariah is depicted in a stylized manner that is characteristic of Byzantine influence. Zechariah stands solemnly, cloaked in a robe adorned with intricate patterns and designs that suggest a rich, textured fabric, reflective of his priestly status. The robe’s colors are vibrant, with shades of red and hints of gold that create a sense of regality and spiritual significance. Surrounding Zechariah is an equally ornate background, detailed with gold leaf and geometric patterns that enhance the sacred atmosphere of the scene and reflect the artwork’s religious intent.
Zechariah’s pose is static, typical of iconographic works, suggesting an eternal and unchanging presence. His facial features are rendered with a certain flatness, another hallmark of Byzantine-style art, focusing on spiritual rather than physical realism. The overall composition conveys a sense of solemnity and reverence appropriate to the religious subject matter, inviting contemplation from the viewer. The meticulously crafted details of Zechariah’s attire and the surrounding decorative elements underscore the sacred nature of the depicted narrative—the introduction of the Virgin Mary to the temple.
