Russian Icon depicting the Mother of God of the Passion (Strastnaja), 19th century

Tempera on panel

Height x width: 31 x 25.5 cm.

Eastern variant of the celebrated Western archetype of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Virgin is portrayed half-length, with her head inclined toward the Infant Jesus. The Child, seated on his Mother's arm, turns his head backward with an expression of fear, looking toward the instruments of his future Passion. In the two upper corners, placed within circular roundels (clipei), stand out the half-length figures of two archangels bearing the symbols of the Passion: the Archangel Michael (on the left) carries the spear and the sponge, while the Archangel Gabriel (on the right) holds the Holy Cross.