Perm iconostasis. Royal gates with gate shadow Roerich N.K. (Part 1)

The composition presents a monumental structure, likely serving as ceremonial doors within a larger architectural setting. The dominant color is gold, applied extensively across the surface, creating a sense of richness and sacredness. This gilded treatment extends not only to the background fields but also to the decorative borders that frame each individual scene.
The central focus lies on two hinged panels, their surfaces divided into four distinct rectangular compartments. Each compartment contains a narrative scene rendered in a stylized manner characteristic of Byzantine artistic traditions. The figures are elongated and possess a certain solemnity, with faces depicted using large eyes and simplified features. Drapery falls in rigid folds, emphasizing the symbolic rather than realistic representation of clothing.
The scenes themselves appear to depict episodes from sacred history. In two compartments, we observe depictions of the Adoration of the Christ Child; one shows the presentation to the Magi, while another portrays a similar encounter with attendants and angels. The other two panels feature figures in what appears to be a devotional posture before a central figure seated on a throne. These scenes are framed by smaller, flanking images – likely depicting saints or angelic beings – that add layers of narrative complexity.
Above the main structure, three additional rectangular fields contain further imagery. A central panel shows a group of figures arranged in a hierarchical composition, possibly representing divine entities or members of the royal family. The flanking panels feature simpler depictions, perhaps symbolic representations of virtues or celestial bodies.
The overall effect is one of profound reverence and solemnity. The use of gold suggests an otherworldly realm, while the stylized figures convey a sense of spiritual distance. The arrangement of scenes implies a progression through sacred events, inviting contemplation and devotion. The structure’s monumental scale reinforces its importance within the larger liturgical context, suggesting it served as a crucial point of access or transition within a sacred space.