Ancient Russian icon, Dormition of the Mother of God, 19th century, 14x12 in
Ancient Russian icon, Dormition of the Mother of God, 19th century, 14x12 in.
The icon depicts the moment of the Virgin's passage from earthly life to heavenly glory. According to Christian tradition, Mary was assumed into heaven body and soul, welcomed beside her Son and God the Father — the mystery defined in the Catholic Church as the Dogma of the Assumption.
The absence of a known burial place for the Virgin has long been interpreted as a sign of her immediate glorification. In Byzantine icono...
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Ancient Russian icon, Dormition of the Mother of God, 19th century, 14x12 in.
The icon depicts the moment of the Virgin's passage from earthly life to heavenly glory. According to Christian tradition, Mary was assumed into heaven body and soul, welcomed beside her Son and God the Father — the mystery defined in the Catholic Church as the Dogma of the Assumption.
The absence of a known burial place for the Virgin has long been interpreted as a sign of her immediate glorification. In Byzantine iconography the scene shows Mary lying on her deathbed surrounded by the Apostles, while Christ holds her soul, represented as a swaddled infant, symbolising rebirth into eternal life. Angels attend the scene, accompanying the Mother of God into glory.
This representation expresses a profound theological meaning: victory over death and the promise of eternal life, made visible in the figure of the Virgin.
The work is executed according to tradition in egg tempera on a board prepared with levkas, an ancient technique that gives each icon uniqueness and spiritual value.
Provenance: Central Russia.
Technique: Egg tempera on board prepared with levkas.
Dimensions: 13.8x11.8 in.
Period: 19th century.