Lot 131
Eastern Europe, Romania, ca. 1898 CE. Painted in egg tempera and gold leaf on wood, a striking icon depicting the Mother of God (Theotokos) as the Virgin Hodegetria (or "She who shows the way"). The Mother of God holds the Christ child in one arm as he makes a blessing gesture and places a hand on the globus cruciger. Saint Stephen and Saint Catherine are shown standing on clouds in the background, the former grasps a censer and the latter a spiked wheel. Mary tenderly tilts her sweet visage toward the infant, all draped in luxurious, draped robes with gilt hems and elaborate jewelry. The piece is dated "March 6, 1898" in Romanian script. Size: 15" W x 18.1" H (38.1 cm x 46 cm)
A lovely example inspired by the icon of the Hodegetria that arrived in Constantinople from Jerusalem, where it was found in the 5th century by the sister-in-law of Emperor Theodosius II. According to Alfredo Tradigo's "Icons and Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church" (2004), "Hidden from the Iconoclasts in a wall at the Hodegon Monastery, it was later carried to the city walls when Constantinople lay under siege and became, under the Palaiologan dynasty (1261-1453), a major palladium protecting the capital. Copies made their way to Rome, the Near East, the Balkans, and Russia." (Tradigo, Icons and Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church, p. 169
Icons were some of the first religious artworks brought to Russia from Byzantium. These sacred pictures reached a high point in the Byzantine era, however, the Russians brought their own style to the art of the icon. Icons were initially created for use in churches and processions. In time they became smaller and were used increasingly within households. To this day, icons remain an important form of visual culture in Russia's orthodox religious community. Icons (icon means "image" in Greek) are sacred objects within the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. These painted images depict holy persons and saints as well as illustrate scenes from the Scriptures. Icons are not worshiped, but are instead venerated for their ability to focus the power of an individual's prayer to God. As such they are truly "windows into heaven."
Provenance: private Owen collection, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA, acquired from Dawson's Auction, New Jersey, USA in April 2000
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#189856
- Condition: Chipping to paint and gesso on Christ's right foot and Mary's robes below. Some minor nicks and abrasions in other areas, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and very nice with good pigments and lovely gilt details. Dated "March 6, 1898" in Romanian script.
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