Eastern Europe, Russia, ca. late 18th to early 19th century CE. Hand painted in egg tempera and gold leaf on wood, a breathtaking rendition of "The Protecting Veil of the Virgin" depicting Mary standing upon a cloud and holding the Christ Child, with a pair of seraphim above, and three winged angels amidst worshippers below, several of whom appear to be suffering; note the woman on the left seems to have a problem with her eyes. With the exception of Mary, the Christ child, the seraphim, and the trio of angels, these other individuals do not have halos. This suggests that the icon depicts a version of the Intercession of the Theotokos icon, known in Church Slavonic as Pokrov, the composition related to the Virgin of Mercy image favored in western European religious art in which the Virgin spreads her voluminous cloak to cover and thereby protect an ensemble of kneeling supplicants. Size: 35" L x 23" W (88.9 cm x 58.4 cm)

In this icon, the Theotokos is praying (indicated by her uplifted arm) which is causing her cloak to spread out a tad and by extension protect the individuals below. The Mother of God looks toward the Christ child, asking Him to accept the prayers of those below. All the figures are delineated with a marvelous penchant for modeling; note the sense of three-dimensionality and the use of light and shadow to delineate the contours of their faces and hands as well as the volumes of their robes. This, however, contrasts in a complementary manner with the relatively flat, decorative aspect of the gold leaf haloes and the gilded strapwork in the background.

This icon commemorates the feast of the Protecting Veil (Pokrov) which originated in Russia, when pilgrims visited the Constantinople Church of the Blachernae, the location where the veil (maphorion) or mantle of the Virgin was kept. This relic had been brought from Jerusalem, and a cloth was raised to reveal an image of the Virgin Orans, especially during the weekly liturgical celebration of the feast (between Friday and Saturday). Saint Andrew the Fool (a holy man), in this same Church of the Blachernae, had a vision of Mary positioned between John the Baptist and the saints, spreading her veil over those in attendance. Note: the Slavic word Pokrov refers to a shroud or cloak; however, it also means protection or intercession.

Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. Found in homes as well as churches, these painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Icons are not worshiped, but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual's prayer to God. As such they are truly "windows into heaven."

Provenance: private Ventura, California, USA collection acquired before 1980

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#122798

A few chips to peripheries. Small repair to area between seated figure in lower left corner and gilded strapwork border. Expected surface wear with scratches and losses as shown. Verso shows stable age cracks and surface wear; back slats are present. Nice craquelure to imagery.