Hand-painted Virgin of Vladimir icon, 12x11 in

Hand-painted Virgin of Vladimir icon, 12x11 in.

According to legend, the icon was painted by the holy apostle and evangelist Luke on the table where the Holy Family used to dine.

Until 450, the icon remained in Jerusalem before being transferred to Constantinople under the reign of Theodosius II.

In the 12th century, Patriarch Lucas Chrysoverg sent a copy of the painting as a gift to Grand Duke Yuri Dolgoruky of Kiev. His son Andrei, seeking to establish an independent domain from Kiev, brought the icon on his journey to northern Russia.

After a stop in the city of Vladimir, the prince resumed his journey, but after several kilometers, the horses carrying the icon refused to move forward. The Virgin Mary then appeared to the prince, instructing him to leave the icon in that place and to build a temple and monastery in honour of her Nativity.

Since then, the icon became known as Vladimirskaya.

The Russian Orthodox Church established 3 days for the celebration of this miraculous icon, each one associated with the liberation of the Russian people from invaders.

The celebration on September 8 according to the new calendar, (equivalent to August 26 in the church calendar), commemorates the liberation from Tamerlane's invasion in 1395. The second date, July 6 (June 23), marks the liberation of Russia from the Akhmat Khan's horde in 1480. Finally, June 3 (May 21) honours Moscow's salvation from Khan Makhmet Giray of Crimea in 1521.

Subject: Theotokos of Vladimir.

Origin: Golden Ring, Russia.

Technique: egg tempera.

Materials: internally reinforced wooden panel to counteract natural curvature, Levkas (a mixture of plaster with sturgeon oil and linseed oil), gold leaf.

Year of production: 2023.

Measurements: 12.2x10.6 in.

The icon is delivered in a protective case.