Russian Icon depicting the Coronation of the Virgin with riza, 19th century

Tempera on wood panel with silver riza

Height × width: 30 × 25 cm. Weight: 1131 g

The icon depicts the Coronation of the Virgin, one of the most widespread Marian representations in both Eastern and Western Christian traditions. The scene shows the Virgin Mary kneeling at the center of the composition in an attitude of humility and adoration, as she receives the crown as a symbol of her heavenly glorification.On either side of the Virgin are two divine figures, traditionally identified as Christ and God the Father, who participate in the act of coronation. In the upper central part of the composition, the Holy Spirit is represented in the form of a dove, completing the depiction of the Trinity and emphasizing the sacred nature of the event. The scene is enriched by the presence of cherubim arranged within the celestial space, symbols of divine glory and the heavenly dimension of the episode. The composition, characterized by a strong devotional and symbolic character, follows the models of Russian Orthodox iconography dedicated to the Mother of God. The presence of the metal riza, created to protect the painted surface and often enriched with ornamental elements, adds further liturgical and devotional value to the image.Icons depicting the Coronation of the Virgin were intended for private devotion and domestic veneration, with particular diffusion in the Russian Orthodox world between the 18th and 19th centuries. The combination of sacred painting and precious riza reflects the tradition of revested icons, in which the valuable covering enhances the sanctity of the represented subject.

The icon is mounted with a silver-plated copper riza bearing counterfeit Russian silver hallmarks.