3. Mother of God of Vladimir

Details

Russian, first half 19th century
30.4 x 26 cms

Provenance:
Private collection, Germany.

Description:
The best-known Eleousa (Tenderness) icon in Russia, and probably the whole world, is undoubtedly the Mother of God of Vladimir.

The image owes its significance to the Virgin’s appearance in a vision to Grand Duke Andrei Bogoliubski of Kiev in 1157. Whilst in the countryside, outside the city of Vladimir, his horses refused to move and he decided to pitch camp. At night, in a dream, the Mother of God appeared. She carried a scroll in her hand and told Andrei to build a stone church for the Tenderness icon he carried. The icon was to remain in Vladimir, in the newly-built church, where it could be honoured. The Virgin also told him to make a new icon commemorating his vision: this icon was to be the Mother of God Bogoliubskaya. Andrei did everything he was commanded. Miraculous powers were attributed to the Vladimirskaya icon and three feast days are dedicated to her.

Characteristic of the Vladimirskaya is the position of the Christ Child seated on her right hand. His cheek rests against hers and his arm is wrapped around her neck. The Mother of God tenderly and protectively embraces her child. The icon is a symbol of the deepest love between mother and child.