Hand-painted Russian icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk, restored, 12x10 in
Hand-painted Russian icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk, restored, 12x10 in.
The icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk originally arrived in Constantinople from Jerusalem in 1046. A blessing gift from Emperor Constantine Monomachos to his daughter Anna on her marriage to the Prince of Chernigov. Later, in the 12th century, Vsevolod and Anna's son, Vladimir Monomachos, relocated the icon to Smolensk, hence becoming known as Smolenskaya. Famous for its first attributed miracle in 1237, where Smo...
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Hand-painted Russian icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk, restored, 12x10 in.
The icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk originally arrived in Constantinople from Jerusalem in 1046. A blessing gift from Emperor Constantine Monomachos to his daughter Anna on her marriage to the Prince of Chernigov. Later, in the 12th century, Vsevolod and Anna's son, Vladimir Monomachos, relocated the icon to Smolensk, hence becoming known as Smolenskaya. Famous for its first attributed miracle in 1237, where Smolensk's citizens, inspired by its presence, repelled the invasion of Batu Khan. The icon belongs to the Hodegetria type, featuring the Virgin Mary depicted frontally with a slightly inclined head towards the Infant Jesus, symbolised by her right hand as the way to salvation. Jesus is supported by the Virgin's left hand, emphasising the significance of the maternal figure in Christian veneration. Subjects: Mother of God of Smolensk. Origin: Central Russia. Technique: egg tempera. Materials: wood, levkas. Dimensions: 12.2x10.6 in. Era: 19th century, restored in the 21st century.
