St. Nicholas Novgorod School Late 13th-early 14th century Egg tempera on gesso, linen, wood 107.7 x 79.5 cm In this renowned icon, St Nicholas, one of the most revered saints in medieval Russia, is depicted as majestic and austere, in accordance with the canons of Christian icon painting as developed in Byzantium. This work is usually referred to as a 'red-ground' icon on account of the bright cinnabar-red background, which makes an effective combination with the yellow halo and the blue-green apparel of the saint.