{the painting restoration - part 1}

In the early part of this year, about the last week of February or so, I purchased a painting. I have been working at the antique shop I work at now, David Skinner Antiques, for about a year and a half, and I have had my eye on this painting ever since I started. 

{the whole thing}

It is an 18th century Russian oil on canvas that has been transferred to board. My guess is that it has never been cleaned. Russian icons were very hard to find during the better part of the 20th century because the Iron Curtain did a very good job of keeping and sort of life inside it's walls. 

{Jesus Cristo}

This particular painting depicts Christ's resurrection, Roman guards, and three women. I think that these three are Mary the Mother, Mary Magdalene, and another woman. Mary the Mother is commonly depicted in blue robes and Mary Magdalene in red. 

{the ladies}

It is odd, however, that we do not see the face of Mary Magdalene. This causes me to think that the three woman might be the woman who see Jesus when returning from the tomb (Matthew 28:9-10). 

{angels}

Regardless of who those broads really are, there are plenty of other goodies that are hidden under the centuries of grime on this thing. Trees, guards, Nazareth, the hill with the crosses, and a tiny snake. It is really amazing what I am beginning to uncover as I clean it up. Progress

{roman guard you can hardly see}