3 - Pokrov (The Protection of the Mother of God) - Early 19th century

Pokrov (The Protection of the Mother of God) - Early 19th century Egg tempera on panel Height x width: 53.5 x 43.5 cm Accompanied in the lower register by a frieze consisting of four compartments—depicting Marian and hagiographic scenes—executed with exceptional, miniature-like refinement.The main portion of the panel illustrates, with rigorous narrative fidelity and scenic splendor, the miraculous event that took place in the 10th century at the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople. At the center of the composition—bathed in a radiant mandorla of golden light and supported by anthropomorphic clouds and angels—stands the full-length figure of the Mother of God; she raises her hands in prayer and extends her sacred veil as a sign of universal protection over humanity. Above her, amidst circles of celestial clouds, emerges the blessing figure of Christ the Savior. Flanking the Virgin is a dense, pyramidal throng of heavenly witnesses—including apostles, martyrs, and Church hierarchs—whose golden halos overlap to create an effect of magnificent, collective grandeur. In the lower register, before the royal doors of the iconostasis and beneath the golden domes of the church that crown the panel, the earthly dimension of the Theophany unfolds: at the center, standing upon a podium, is the deacon Saint Romanos the Melodist, dressed in a sumptuous red sticharion and holding a scroll of his sacred hymns. To his left stands Emperor Leo the Wise, accompanied by the patriarchal court, while to his right appears the emaciated figure of Saint Andrew the Fool-for-Christ, who miraculously points out the celestial vision to his young disciple, Epiphanius—all surrounded by monks and the faithful. The unique collector’s appeal and absolute rarity of this lot lie in its sophisticated lower frieze, which is precisely divided into four finely illuminated, quadrangular compartments. The first compartment on the left is a fine reproduction of the Mother of God of Kazan (Kazanskaya), featuring the characteristic close-up, half-length composition with the Christ Child standing and offering a blessing. The next section displays a sophisticated iconographic depiction of the Mother of God “of the Three Hands” (Troeruchitsa)—or a related regal variant—in which the Virgin, crowned as Queen of Heaven, holds the Child while a third hand—an ex-voto—is visible at the base. This is followed by a complex, intricate Marian composition, identifiable as the “Praise of the Mother of God” or an assembly of saints gathered around the enthroned Virgin. Finally, on the far right, there is a rare hagiographic, narrative scene set within an architectural interior, depicting a monastic hermit in prayer or deep contemplation (likely referencing the miracle of the “Unexpected Joy” or an episode from the life of an ascetic saint). Stylistically, the work reveals the hand of a master of the highest caliber, capable of managing a dense arrangement of dozens of tiny figures with remarkably sharp brushwork, enriched by metallic gold highlights on the liturgical vestments and a superb, precise geometric rendering of the architectural elements. Item condition rating: **** good. The lot is in good condition, with normal wear and defects commensurate with its age and use over time.