Lot 137
A RUSSIAN ICON OF THE POKROV MOTHER OF GOD, SECOND HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURY. This interesting and complex icon actually combines the two subjects whose feast day is celebrated on October 1st-the vision of the Holy Fool Andrei, who saw the Mother of God appear in the air in the church of Blanchernae at Constantinople, and Romanos the Melodist, who lost his voice and could not sing well until the Mother of God appeared to him in a dream, gave him a scroll to eat, and thereby granted him the gift of song. At the top central section the Mother of God can be seen standing atop a bank of clouds within the church holding her protective mantle (Russian-Pokrov) in her outstretched hands spreading it above the congregation as a symbol of her protection. She is a companied by a gathering of saints turned towards Christ who delivers a blessing at upper right. Below Romanos holds the Gospels open for the Patriarch of Constantinople and at mid left and right are the Empress and Emperor. In the lower right corner the Holy Fool Andrei raising his arm pointing towards the Mother of God showing her to his disciple Epifany who stands beside him. The upper border inscribed with the title, The Image of the Pokrov Most Holy Mother of God. The icon exhibits a great deal of detail and clearly reflects the influence of Western religious imagery which had become well established by the 18th century. In a very fine state of preservation retaining its original undisturbed varnish coat. Together with a silverplated brass riza. 13.25 inches x 11 inches (33.5cm x 28cm).
Estimate:  $800 - 1,200   € 600 - 900

Price Realized: $1,560.00