Mother of God Ovsepetaya (the All-praised), Russia, 18th century, 33 x 27.5 cm. The Mother of God, in half-figure, is holding in her left arm the seated Christ. She is wearing a richly adorned maphorion that has a wide hem on which the inscriptions ''Oh, you most saintly of all saints, who hath given birth to Christ the Word.'' are displayed. The maphorion is decorated with blankets of clouds. In Russian icon-painting tradition, this iconography is known from the 17th century, and the earliest depiction of the all-hymned Mother has been found on several pages of Syrian face icon-painting original of 17th century. On one of those pages, the icon is called Arapskaya – “Arabic”… Maria is crowned with a wide royal crown. The edge of the shawl is covered with the words of above-mentioned motet, and shoulders and head of Maria are painted with three angels, instead of traditional stars, which is often interpreted by the Orthodox theologians as the ancient symbolic image of the Trinity. Probably, according to the understanding of 17th century, such a mystical reading of the subject was connected to East, Egypt or Palestine; what is reflected in “Arabic” or “Arabian” title of the icon. Condition: authentic icon. Authenticity of every icon is guaranteed. Every icon is sold with extensive written expertise.

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