28 - Russian four-part icon depicting the Pokrov (Protection of the Mother of God), the Mother of God "Soothe My Sorrows," the Three-Handed Mother of God, and the Mother of God "of the Sign"—19th century

Russian four-part icon depicting the Pokrov (Protection of the Mother of God), the Mother of God "Soothe My Sorrows," the Three-Handed Mother of God, and the Mother of God "of the Sign"—19th century Egg tempera on panel and gold leaf Height x width: 54 x 42 cm surmounted by calligraphic inscriptions in Old Church Slavonic, rendered in red along the upper margins. In the upper-left quadrant unfolds the complex and solemn composition of the Pokrov (the Protection of the Mother of God), set within the Church of Blachernae in Constantinople: above, the Virgin rises upon the clouds, holding the sacred protective veil, attended by the heavenly hosts; in the lower register, before the Royal Doors of the iconostasis, stands the deacon Saint Romanos the Melodist, accompanied by Andrew the Fool-for-Christ, who points out the theophanic vision to his disciple Epiphanius. The upper-right quadrant features the lyrical and poignant iconography of the Mother of God “Soothe My Sorrows” (Utoli moja pečali)—as explicitly stated by the inscription above (“ОУТОЛИ МОЯ БОЛЭЗНИ” / Soothe my sorrows/ailments). The Virgin is depicted in a half-length portrait, her sorrowful face bowed and caressed by her own right hand, while her left arm cradles the Divine Infant Emmanuel, who holds an unrolled scroll containing a passage from the Scriptures. In the lower-left panel appears, with magnificent regality, the Mother of God of the Three Hands (Troeručica); here, the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus are adorned with imposing, gem-encrusted sovereign crowns and rich, highlighted scarlet robes. A circular pendant rests upon the Virgin’s breast, while in the lower-left section, one can discern the characteristic third hand—an ex-voto—associated with the miracle of Saint John of Damascus. Finally, the lower-right quadrant is occupied by the canonical depiction of the Mother of God of the Sign (Znamenie)—presented here in a solemn variation in which the Virgin, shown from the waist up with her hands raised in a rigid gesture of prayer, bears upon her breast a radiant, golden-lit mandorla containing Christ Emmanuel in the act of blessing; flanking this, at the top, are the traditional monograms of the Cherubim and Seraphim, featuring the winged faces of these angels. His Excellency the Most Reverend Francisco-Javier Lozano Sebastián, Titular Archbishop of Penafiel and Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus. Condition rating: **** good. The lot is in good condition, with normal wear and defects commensurate with its age and use over time.