Ancient Russian icon, late 18th century, Our Lady of Kazan, 10.7x9.3 in
Ancient Russian icon, late 18th century, Our Lady of Kazan, 10.7x9.3 in.
Ancient Russian icon depicting Our Lady of Kazan, originating from Central Russia and datable to the late 18th century. The work measures 10.7x9.3 in and is executed in egg tempera on wood prepared with levkas.
Devotion to Our Lady of Kazan begins in 1579, when, according to tradition, the icon was found in the city of Kazan after the Virgin appeared repeatedly to a young girl, indicating where the image had been hidden. From...
Info and features
Ancient Russian icon, late 18th century, Our Lady of Kazan, 10.7x9.3 in.
Ancient Russian icon depicting Our Lady of Kazan, originating from Central Russia and datable to the late 18th century. The work measures 10.7x9.3 in and is executed in egg tempera on wood prepared with levkas.
Devotion to Our Lady of Kazan begins in 1579, when, according to tradition, the icon was found in the city of Kazan after the Virgin appeared repeatedly to a young girl, indicating where the image had been hidden. From that moment Our Lady of Kazan became one of the most venerated Marian images in the Russian tradition.
Over the centuries the icon was associated with important moments in Russian history. In 1612 a copy of the revered image accompanied the forces involved in the liberation of Moscow, and subsequently Our Lady of Kazan was considered protector of the Romanov dynasty and of major cities of the Russian Empire.
Iconographically, the composition is a variant of the Hodegetria type, the "Mother of God who shows the Way". The Virgin is portrayed up to the chest, while the Christ Child stands beside her. This more intimate arrangement, compared with other Marian depictions, became particularly widespread in Russian painting from the 16th century onward.
The austerity of the composition concentrates attention on the faces of Mother and Child, underlining the devotional meaning of the image and the Virgin’s role as protector and intercessor within Orthodox spirituality.
The icon is supplied with an expert appraisal and presented in a velvet case, which complete its documentation and presentation.
Provenance: Central Russia
Period: late 18th century
Technique: egg tempera
Materials: wood and levkas
Dimensions: 10.7x9.3 in
Accompaniment: expert appraisal and velvet case.