Russian Icon depicting the Mother of God of Kazan with riza, 20th century

Tempera on panel with riza

Heigth x width x depth: 28,5 x 24 x 6 cm (including display case)

Icon depicting the Mother of God of Kazan (Kazanskaya Bogomater), one of the most venerated Marian images in the Russian Orthodox tradition, regarded as the protectress of the Russian people and a powerful symbol of the Virgin's intercession.
The painted surface is almost entirely covered by a gilt metal riza, executed in repoussé and chased work, leaving visible only the faces and hands of the Virgin and the Christ Child. The Mother of God is depicted half-length, with her head gently inclined toward her Son and her gaze directed outward toward the viewer, following the traditional iconographic scheme of the Kazan Mother of God. The Christ Child, shown frontally and seated on His Mother's left arm, raises His right hand in blessing while holding the scroll of the Holy Scriptures in His left, symbolizing His role as the Incarnate Word.
The riza is distinguished by its rich ornamental decoration, created through repoussé and chasing techniques, with broad radiant halos, floral motifs, and geometric patterns that enhance the overall brilliance of the composition. Along the lower border are identifying inscriptions in Cyrillic characters, while the exposed painted areas reveal a carefully executed composition with delicately modelled flesh tones.

The iconography of the Mother of God of Kazan originated from the miraculous icon discovered in 1579 in the city of Kazan and became one of the most widespread subjects of Orthodox Marian devotion. Throughout the twentieth century, this type of icon continued to be extensively produced according to the traditional models of Russian icon painting, frequently enriched with decorative metal rizas intended for both private devotion and domestic shrines.

The icon is preserved within a stained wooden display case fitted with a glazed front door, designed to protect the work and most likely intended for private domestic devotion.