Semushin Alexander. "CHARIOT OF ELIJAH THE TRUNDERER, SENDING DOWN BLESSED RAIN "
Elijah is one of the most revered Russian saints and the Old Testament prophets. It is he who is prayed for the gift of rain during a drought. In times of the Israeli king Ahab, Elijah prophesied that in retaliation for the people of Israel having fallen away from faith in the true God and worshipping the idol Baal, not a drop of rain will fall on the land for three years. And indeed the sky “closed” and drought and famine spread throughout the land. After three years Elijah arranged a "competition" with the priests of Baal, during which according to his prayer, "the sky was opened” and a heavy fall of rain watered the thirsty land. Later, for his ardent zeal for the glory of God the prophet Elijah was taken alive to heaven in a fiery chariot. In Eastern Europe, the biblical story provided the basis for the prophet Elijah being represented as riding in the sky in a chariot. Elijah is the holder of lightning, sender of rain. In Elijah's Day the Russians await storms and thunderstorms. But it is Elijah who gives fertility to the land. This work is not typical for A.Semushin’s expressive trans-surrealistic painting – it reveals the elegance of both the idea and its
execution. The effective rhythmic organization of the painting – i.e. the use of accented, rhythmic lines - creates the sensation of nature, of an abundant rain pouring from the sky to the earth. We’d also like to point out the worked out combination of color planes creating the effect of inseparability of land and sky that is so important for the Christian plot. 
paper 60cm x 42cm 1999 The artwork is framed Price 3766 USD
 e-mail to the artist2009.02.28
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