106 - Mother of God "Unexpected Joy" (Nechayannaya Radost') - 19th century

Mother of God "Unexpected Joy" (Nechayannaya Radost') - 19th century Egg tempera on panel Height x width: 31.5 x 26.5 cm as confirmed by the text in Old Church Slavonic inscribed on the cartouche at the base of the inner panel. The iconography illustrates a well-known spiritual parable drawn from the text *Gideon’s Fleece* by Saint Demetrius of Rostov: on the left, within an architectural setting—finely delineated with a Neo-Gothic/Byzantine arch and a drawn-back curtain—a sinner is depicted kneeling with hands outstretched in prayer, undergoing a profound conversion before a miraculous image of the Virgin. This “icon-within-an-icon” shows the Mother of God holding the Child on her left arm (following the Hodegetria type); specific details—such as the bleeding wounds on the Divine Infant’s hands and feet, and His torn garments—visually evoke the sins of humanity, which renew the sufferings of the Passion. In terms of color and style, the work reveals superb technical mastery and a sophisticated, miniature-like execution: the Virgin’s maphorion is distinguished by a deep brownish-purple hue, enriched by an intricate, splendid geometric pattern of gold highlights (assist), which embellishes the drapery of both the Mother’s and the Child’s garments—the latter dressed in a luminous, golden-ochre tunic. The inner background and the large halos are crafted entirely in burnished gold leaf, creating a striking and evocative contrast with the dark tones of the architecture and the sinner’s green robe. A broad, vermilion-orange outer border strictly frames the scene, topped by traditional sacred monograms rendered in elegant, calligraphic Old Church Slavonic script. 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 color loss.