118 - Madonna of Georgia (or Georgian Madonna) - 19th century

Madonna of Georgia (or Georgian Madonna) - 19th century Egg tempera on panel Height x width: 31 x 25.5 cm as clearly indicated by the inscription in Old Church Slavonic along the bottom edge. The composition stands out as a refined variation of the traditional Hodegetria (“She Who Shows the Way”) type: the Virgin is depicted in a half-length portrait, her head tilted slightly toward the Child, whom she cradles in her left arm. Her right hand is raised in a gesture of intercession and prayer, directing the viewer’s gaze toward the Divine Infant. Christ the Savior—portrayed with the features of a small adult rather than an infant, to emphasize His divine wisdom (the Logos)—sits upright, holding a sealed scroll of the Scriptures in His left hand—a symbol of Revelation and the fulfillment of prophecy—while His right hand is raised in a clear gesture of blessing. In terms of color, the work displays an extraordinary expressive intensity, faithful to the canons of Orthodox sacred art: the Virgin’s maphorion, which drapes over her head and shoulders, is painted in a deep, purplish red—symbolizing both royalty and the Passion—finely edged with gold trim and adorned with the characteristic three golden stars (visible here on her forehead and right shoulder), a dogmatic emblem of her perpetual virginity. Beneath the mantle, a dark, blue-green tunic emerges, creating a striking contrast with the Child’s garment, which is illuminated by warm ochre and orange tones, along with golden highlights that evoke the divine light. The flesh tones (sankir) are rendered with precise, geometric application, featuring subtle highlights (ozivki) that lend volume and a sense of austerity to the faces—faces that retain their characteristic hieratic stillness, with gazes directed beyond the viewer toward the infinite. The gold background, worn and scratched by the passage of time, symbolizes the uncreated light of Paradise; at the top, it bears traditional sacred monograms in Greek and Cyrillic characters: “MP ΘY” (Mother of God) on either side of the Virgin’s halo, and “IΣ XΣ” (Jesus Christ) to the right of the Savior. 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. Paint loss and wear.