Ancient Russian icon, mid-19th century, Theotokos of Akhtyrka, 12.4x10.2 in
Ancient Russian icon, mid-19th century, Theotokos of Akhtyrka, 12.4x10.2 in.
Ancient Russian icon depicting the Theotokos of Akhtyrka, originating from southern Russia and datable to the mid-19th century. The work measures 12.4x10.2 in and is executed in egg tempera on wood with levkas.
The prototype of this iconography is connected to the Ukrainian town of Akhtyrka (now in the Kharkiv region) and to the tradition of a miraculous apparition of 1739. According to the devotional account, the priest ...
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Ancient Russian icon, mid-19th century, Theotokos of Akhtyrka, 12.4x10.2 in.
Ancient Russian icon depicting the Theotokos of Akhtyrka, originating from southern Russia and datable to the mid-19th century. The work measures 12.4x10.2 in and is executed in egg tempera on wood with levkas.
The prototype of this iconography is connected to the Ukrainian town of Akhtyrka (now in the Kharkiv region) and to the tradition of a miraculous apparition of 1739. According to the devotional account, the priest Vasily observed an image of the Mother of God shining with an unusual light while working in his garden, an event that gave rise to the veneration of the Theotokos of Akhtyrka.
The Theotokos of Akhtyrka is represented in close relation to the Passion of Christ: the Virgin appears absorbed in prayer and contemplation before the Crucifix, a composition that also clearly reflects influences from Western representations of the Mater Dolorosa. The presence of the Crucifix and the instruments of the Passion emphasises the bond between the Virgin and the mystery of Christ’s suffering, giving the image particular devotional intensity.
This iconographic type, which developed from the 18th century onwards, represents an interesting meeting between the Russian Orthodox pictorial tradition and certain Western figurative models, while preserving the symbolic structure characteristic of Eastern sacred art.
The icon is supplied with an expert appraisal and presented in a velvet case, which complete its documentation and presentation.
Provenance: southern Russia
Period: mid-19th century
Technique: egg tempera
Materials: wood and levkas
Dimensions: 12.4x10.2 in
Subject: Theotokos of Akhtyrka
Contents: expert appraisal and velvet presentation case.