The artwork, titled “Upcoming” by Nicholas Roerich, created in 1907, is an exquisite example of Byzantine religious painting. Rendered in oil on wood, it forms part of the Perm iconostasis series and is currently housed in the Perm State Art Gallery in Perm, Russia. It measures 127 by 91 centimeters.
The artwork conveys profound spiritual significance through its portrayal of religious figures. The left figure appears to be a solemn saint dressed in a dark robe, with her hand in a gesture of blessing or prayer. The right figure, an ecclesiastical figure, holds a cross and a book, perhaps symbolizing the scriptures or religious teachings. Both figures are crowned with halos, denoting their holy status. The background is rendered in a radiant gold, a hallmark of Byzantine art, emphasizing the divine nature of the portrayed subjects and lending the piece a celestial aura.
