Icon of the Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos. Russia. Second half of the 19th century

The Icon of the Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos (also known as Oranta) is one of the most revered subjects of Orthodox iconography in Rus`. The miraculous image, kept in Veliky Novgorod, served as the source of numerous copies that over the centuries spread throughout the provinces of the Russian Empire, preserving their spiritual and cultural significance to this day. This icon was painted in the second half of the 19th century in one of the icon-painting workshops in central Russia. It is executed in the style of life-likeness, which was especially popular in imperial Russia of that period. The image of the Mother of God and the Infant Christ attracts attention with its contrast and expressive laconism. The faces of the Mother of God and the Infant God, executed with an emphasis on the eyes, create a deep emotional connection with the worshiper, which emphasizes its spiritual strength and significance. The icon is in good collection condition and does not require additional restoration work. Dimensions of the work: height - 18 cm, width - 14 cm. Material: board, tempera.