Icon of the Virgin called the “O All-Hymned” (O Vsepetaia Mati) (Type: ELEOUSA), {NEW} Modern Icon-Painting 104, le 18 avril 2016

Icon of the Virgin called the “O All-Hymned” (O Vsepetaia Mati)  (Type: ELEOUSA), {NEW} Modern Icon-Painting 104, le 18 avril 2016

Objet :	{NEW} Modern Icon-Painting 104
De :	Елена Харина (service@versta-k.ru)
À :	Olivia Marcov ;
Date :	Lundi 18 avril 2016 12h41

{NEW} Modern Icon-Painting 104

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Icon of the Virgin called the “O All-Hymned” (O Vsepetaia Mati)  (Type: ELEOUSA)

Although the history of this icon is unknown, it is a popular image that has some unique iconographic features. The crowned Mother of God is depicted with both hands held before her breast. The Christ Child seated on her left arm in front of her left shoulder turned towards her with both hands placed below her neck. The unusual characteristic of this icon is that in place of the stars that usually appear on her maphorion there are three circles containing the faces of angels. Some consider these faces as a symbol of the Trinity.

Inscribed on the icon, in Slavonic, are the words of Kontakion 13 from the Akathist:

O All-hymned Mother who didst bear the Word holiest of all the Saints, accept this our offering, and deliver us from all offense, and redeem from future torment those who cry in unison to thee: Alleluia.

This icon is a version of Arab icon of Virgin. The difference is that on top of the head of the Mother of God on imperial crown is represented and instead of the star on her shoulders and forehead are depicted the heads of angels. In this image, the Mother of God is represented seated from her knees upward. The Infant Jesus is depicted in a tunic on her lap. His left shoulder and left leg from the  knee down are naked, and his hands are stretched out to the neck of the Mother. The influence of the Friazhskii (the style of the painting in 18th century in Russia that emulated Western painting styles) style of painting is clearly seen in this drawing. A distinctive feature of this recension is the smooth curve of the maphorion’s edge that bends without folds in an oval around her face.