70 - Mother of God of Fëdorov (Feodorovskaya) - Early 19th century

Mother of God of Fëdorov (Feodorovskaya) - Early 19th century Egg tempera on panel Height x width: 35.5 x 30 cm A variant of the Virgin of Tenderness (Eleusa), historically regarded as the protector of the Romanov imperial dynasty. The Virgin Mary is depicted in a half-length portrait, her head tilted sharply—with an air of both protection and melancholy—toward the Child Jesus, who clings to her on the left side of the composition in an intimate, dynamic embrace. Mary wears a brownish-purple maphorion with deep folds, edged with ornate, punched golden trim and adorned on the shoulders with traditional geometric stars—symbols of perpetual virginity. The Christ Child, wrapped in an orange chiton accented with gold, along with a mantle that leaves his left leg partially exposed down to the bare knee, eagerly wraps his right arm around his Mother’s neck, while his left hand rests gently on her chest. The faces of the sacred figures, characterized by brownish tones and intense gazes, stand out against the surface of the panel, which is dominated by expansive halos covered in gold leaf. On the right side, a cursive inscription in Cyrillic characters formally identifies the image by its Marian title (Feodorovskaya Presvyataya Bogoroditsa—The Feodorovskaya Most Holy Mother of God). On the brown side margins of the panel (polja), arranged within four symmetrical vertical compartments, are full-length depictions of four patron saints: in the upper left appears the customary Guardian Angel, dressed in white robes and a pristine mantle; in the upper right, a Warrior Saint in military armor (identifiable as Saint Theodore); while the two lower compartments contain Saint Nonna (mother of Saint Gregory the Theologian) on the left, shown in a green robe and red mantle, and Saint Mary of Egypt on the right, depicted in an attitude of deep prayer and intercession directed toward the central scene. His Excellency the Most Reverend 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. There is some paint loss and minor restoration.