Russian icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, late 18th-century painting, metal basma with iris beadwork, 12x10 in
Russian icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, late 18th-century painting, metal basma with iris beadwork, 12x10 in.
The icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir is among the most celebrated and venerated in the Russian tradition. Early records date to 1155, when it was brought from Constantinople to Kiev and later transferred by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky to Vladimir, the city from which it takes its name. In 1395, during Tamerlane’s invasion, it was taken to Moscow and, according to tradition, through its i...
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Russian icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, late 18th-century painting, metal basma with iris beadwork, 12x10 in.
The icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir is among the most celebrated and venerated in the Russian tradition. Early records date to 1155, when it was brought from Constantinople to Kiev and later transferred by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky to Vladimir, the city from which it takes its name. In 1395, during Tamerlane’s invasion, it was taken to Moscow and, according to tradition, through its intercession the city was miraculously preserved. It thus became one of the principal relics of the Russian state.
Belonging to the iconographic type of the "Tenderness" (Eleousa), the painting depicts the Virgin and Child in an intimate, affectionate gesture with their cheeks touching. The image expresses the profound bond between Mother and Son and, simultaneously, the relationship between God and humanity, symbolising the love that unites the divine and the human.
The panel is executed in traditional egg tempera on wood prepared with levkas and is enhanced by a metal basma and refined honourific embroidery with iris beads, elements that underline its artistic and devotional value.
Origin: Moscow, Russia.
Technique: Egg tempera.
Materials: wood, levkas, metal basma, iris bead embroidery.
Measurements: 12.2x10.2 in.
Period: painting late 18th century; basma (riza) 19th century.