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Russian icon with oklad depicting the Mother of God of the Sign, 20th century

Height x width: 44.5 x 35.5 cm.

this iconography has its origins in the earliest Christian depictions found in the Catacombs, drawing inspiration from the pagan iconography of the Orant. Mary is shown in a half-length pose with her arms raised and hands open, palms facing upward—a symbol of prayer and adoration. In front of her, on her chest, within a medallion, is the Child, who blesses with the Trinitarian gesture of the right hand, while holding the scroll of the Scriptures in the left."
Metal oklad.

Literature:
The cult of the icon developed after Constantine, spreading from Byzantium to Russia, where it became particularly venerated in Novgorod, a city believed to have been protected by it. The Russian version derives from the Byzantine Platytera (10th-11th century), with the Virgin depicted half-length, frontally, with her arms raised in prayer. On her breast, in a medallion, appears the Christ Child with an adult face, blessing with both hands.

The Russian icon of the Nev'jansk school (early 19th century) has a refined style: Mary's purple maphorion and the Child's red tunic shine with gold highlights. Two cherubs (one red and one blue) frame the Virgin's golden nimbus. The robes are decorated in gold and there are traditional Greek inscriptions (Mother of God, Jesus Christ, O ON).

Refer to the Catalogue of Cultural Goods of the Italian Ministry of Culture: https://catalogo.beniculturali.it/detail/Lombardia/HistoricOrArtisticProperty/3y010-01693_R03