101 - Mother of God of Kazan (Kazanskaya) - 20th century

Mother of God of Kazan (Kazanskaya) - 20th century Egg tempera on panel Height x width: 22.5 x 18 cm An intense and solemn example of Orthodox sacred painting, faithfully based on one of the most venerated Marian prototypes in the Russian tradition. The composition features a close-up and monumental iconographic arrangement, characterized by a narrow-bust depiction of the Virgin Mary with her head markedly tilted toward the Divine Infant. The Infant Jesus is depicted on the right, shown in an upright, frontal pose from the waist up, captured in the act of making the solemn gesture of blessing with his right hand facing the viewer, while his left hand remains partially concealed by the folds of his robes—a blue tunic and a large carmine-red cloak. The Virgin’s face, with elongated and evocative features in the purest Byzantine tradition, expresses a deep and solemn spiritual melancholy, accentuated by her large brown eyes surmounted by thin arched eyebrows and by her lips pursed in an expression of pained dignity. Mary wears the classic maphorion in a rich reddish-brown shade, embellished along the edges with dense geometric gold trim enriched by white beading. 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.