41 - Mother of God of Smolensk (Smolenskaya) - Late 19th century

Mother of God of Smolensk (Smolenskaya) - Late 19th century Egg tempera and gold leaf on panel Height x width: 35.5 x 30.5 cm A cornerstone of the Byzantine iconographic type known as the Virgin Hodegetria—or “She who shows the way”—this image depicts the Virgin Mary in a half-length, majestic, and strictly frontal pose. This posture lends her an aura of solemn regality, further emphasized by a profound, hieratic gaze directed straight at the viewer. She wears a sumptuous, brownish-purple *maphorion* (veil) with dense, geometric folds, richly adorned and embellished with the traditional “stars of virginity,” rendered as radiating, punched-metal motifs. Seated on her left arm is the Christ Child, portrayed in an upright position with the appearance of a youthful sage (*Emmanuel*). He wears a greenish-blue tunic and a mantle woven entirely from fine gold threads (assist); His right hand is raised in blessing, while His left holds a sealed scroll of the Scriptures. The faces of these sacred figures exhibit a high level of artistic quality, characterized by warm, amber-toned complexions with subtle, blended transitions that stand out against the gold-leaf background and halos. The composition is enclosed within an elaborate inner frame, finely detailed with raised vegetal scrolls and punched floral motifs, evoking the aesthetic of embossed precious metalwork. Against the gold background, flanking the Virgin’s face, appear sacred monograms set within red medallions (clipei), alongside an inscription in Cyrillic script that formally identifies the icon’s title: Odigitriya Smolenskaya Presvyataya Bogoroditsa—literally, “The Most Holy Mother of God (Theotokos) Hodegetria of Smolensk.” On the brown side margins of the panel (polja), set within two elegant cusped compartments, are full-length figures of patron saints chosen by the family that commissioned the work: on the left, the Guardian Angel (Angel Khranitel) in pristine white robes, holding a drawn sword; and on the right, a female martyr, who clutches to her chest the cross of martyrdom along with a reliquary or a vessel for ointment—all of which completes this refined example of late-imperial devotion. H.E. Most Rev. Francisco-Javier Lozano Sebastián, Titular Archbishop of Penafiel and Apostolic Nuncio Emeritus. Item condition rating: **** good. The lot is in good condition, with normal wear and defects commensurate with its age and use over time. Minor wear.