62 - Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” - 19th century

Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” - 19th century Egg tempera on panel with a gold ground Height x width: 44 x 36.5 cm At the center of the complex composition, the Virgin Mary stands as a full-length figure within a radiant mandorla of divine light, holding the Christ Child on her left arm; both are depicted wearing crowns. At the Virgin’s feet—enclosed within a distinct golden scroll that serves as the work’s devotional and theological seal—appears an inscription in Church Slavonic drawn from the Thirteenth Stanza of the Akathist Hymn: “O Mother worthy of all praise, who gave birth to the Word holier than all the saints! Accept this offering of ours, deliver us from every misfortune and from sin...” Flanking this central plea are throngs of the faithful, grouped according to their specific afflictions (the sick, the destitute, the sorrowful, and prisoners), all stretching out their hands in prayer to implore relief. Winged angels sent by the Virgin accompany, guide, and comfort these human multitudes; acting as celestial intermediaries, they bear four large, unfurled scrolls that set forth promises of healing drawn from the liturgical Sticharion. Moving clockwise from the top left, the texts read: “Clothing for the naked, healing for the sick”; “Nourishment for the hungry, drink for the thirsty”; “Liberation for prisoners, a protector for the oppressed”; and finally, “The ability to walk for the crippled, and sight for the blind.” In the upper section of the panel—above the clouds separating the earthly realm from the heavenly—the figure of Jesus Christ dominates, blessing the scene and flanked by flying angels, while the symbols of the Sun and Moon, set within cosmic roundels, appear in the upper corners of the sky. Stylistically, the work displays a rich narrative composition and is characterized by a striking use of color, with the Virgin’s blue robe and dark maphorion contrasting against the vibrant red, green, and purple mantles of the surrounding figures. The meticulous rendering of detail, the abundance of explanatory liturgical inscriptions, and the exquisite inclusion of embossed metal protective mounts on the frame’s corners attest to a sophisticated and devout patron, typical of the refined output of Central Russian workshops. 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. Some color loss.