Inseparable from the liturgical tradition, religious
art is seen by Orthodox Christians as a form of
pictorial confession of faith and a channel of
religious experience. Because the icons provide
a direct personal contact with the holy persons
represented on them, these images should be
objects of veneration, in either a public or private
setting, and were even believed to have the
ability to heal.
The oil painting of this icon is extremely realistic.
However, only the flesh of the two holy figures
has been painted, the rest of this extraordinary
work is encased in a brass oklad. A repousse
technique in high relief has been utilized to
produce the folds and curves of the figures'
drapery. The metal has also been engraved to
depict the floral patterns of the Virgin's robes as
well as the sun burst luminescence that radiates
from both of their heads. The borders of the
oklad have also been elaborated by an engraved
abstract motif, including a line of Cyrillic text at
the bottom center. To represent Jesus and Mary's
halos, an additional engraved oklad with
perforated edges has been attached to the icon.
The metal not only imitates the elegance of gold,
but also contrasts and emphasizes the softness
of the painted flesh. Here, Christ raises his right
hand in a sign of benediction as the Virgin holds
him close. This is an intimate scene between a
mother and child. In them, we see our own
selves. Like many icon paintings, this work
attempts to combine the familiar and the divine
into one. They are both mother and child and
Mary and Christ. They are both human, like us,
and yet holy, worthy of our adoration and
veneration.
- (PF.5691)
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