Lot 103
A LARGE RUSSIAN ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD OF UNEXPECTED JOY, 19TH CENTURY. Here is depicted an interior in which a man kneels before a large icon of the Mother of God, who holds the child Jesus on her left arm. The child bears the wounds of the crucifixion. The tale illustrated is this: A certain man who led a sinful life was repeating the words of the Archangel Gabriel's greeting-- "Rejoice, Blessed One..." (the Slavonic version of "Hail Mary, full of grace"). One day he made ready to go and do more sinful deeds, but before leaving he turned to the icon to pray. He began to tremble with fear as he saw the image of the Mother of God begin to move; wounds appeared on the hands, feet and side of the child Jesus and blood began to pour out of them. Falling to the floor the sinner cried out, "O Lady, who has done this?". The image replied, "You and the other sinners who crucify my Son anew with your sins." The sinner, of course, repented and was forgiven, so the experience was a great "unexpected joy," thus the title of this icon type. This story was written down by Saint Dimitriy Rostovskiy in his work The Dew-Wet Fleece. The lettered panel usually seen below the image of the Mother of God in this type provides the beginning of the tale: "A certain lawless man had a daily rule to pray to the Most Holy Mother of God with the words of the Archangel's greeting: 'Hail, Blessed One...." The man looks up to the icon, and his words are sometimes written on a strip extending from his mouth like a cartoon bubble, "O Lady, did this?" And the Mother of God's reply, written on another strip is "You and other Sinners, who with your sins--." The borders with the family saints Leonitiy, St. Mary of Egypt, St. Ulita and Kirik and St. Irina. In untouched, as found condition retaining its original varnish coat. 21 inches x 18 inches (53.3 x 46 cm).
Estimate:  $800 - 1,200   € 560 - 840

Price Realized: $2,250.00