Russian Pokrov icon "Protection of the Mother of God", late 18th century, 21x17 in
Russian Pokrov icon "Protection of the Mother of God", late 18th century, 21x17 in.
The Pokrov icon represents the protection of the Mother of God, one of the most venerated themes in the Orthodox tradition. This representation is also connected to Saint Roman the Melodist, a great Byzantine hymnographer who, according to tradition, received the gift of song from the Virgin after she appeared to him and caused him to swallow a sacred scroll. This episode is often depicted in the upper part of the...
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Russian Pokrov icon "Protection of the Mother of God", late 18th century, 21x17 in.
The Pokrov icon represents the protection of the Mother of God, one of the most venerated themes in the Orthodox tradition. This representation is also connected to Saint Roman the Melodist, a great Byzantine hymnographer who, according to tradition, received the gift of song from the Virgin after she appeared to him and caused him to swallow a sacred scroll. This episode is often depicted in the upper part of the icon.
The composition is rich and complex: the lower register shows a liturgical celebration with Saint Roman as a deacon on the ambo, accompanied by the imperial court, while in the upper register the Virgin appears spreading her veil in protection over the faithful. The numerous figures of saints, angels and worshippers create a dense, symbolic visual effect characteristic of iconographic developments between the 17th and 18th centuries.
The icon expresses the theme of divine protection and the intercession of the Mother of God, who watches over believers and shelters them beneath her mantle.
Executed in the traditional technique of egg tempera on a board prepared with levkas, this painting bears witness to the old Russian iconographic craft transmitted through the centuries.
Origin: Central Russia.
Technique: Egg tempera.
Materials: Wood, levkas.
Measurements: 21.1x17.4 in.
Period: late 18th century.