MIKH. ZORIN

Egg tempera on wood panel with silver riza and polychrome enamels

Height x width: 31.5 x 26 cm Weight: 1916 g.

This particular compositional type, historically intended for private patronage and domestic devotion, is symmetrically divided into four panels. Each panel depicts a different miraculous image of the Theotokos: in the upper left is the Kazan Mother of God with the Christ Child bestowing His blessing; in the upper right is the Mother of God "Relieve My Sorrows", portrayed resting Her cheek on Her hand in a gesture of compassionate listening; in the lower left is the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow"; and in the lower right is the Mother of God "Seeker of the Lost", invoked for the salvation of souls in moments of profound despair. The finely crafted riza, decorated with embossed ornamental motifs, elegantly frames the four Marian images, enhancing the icon with a remarkable sense of richness and liturgical solemnity.

The piece is mounted with a silver riza, fully hallmarked with 84 zolotniks (875/1000) silver marks, used in Moscow from 1908-1926, and with the mark of the silversmith Zorin Mikh.