Antique Russian icon, early 19th century Mother of God of Kiev-Pechersk (Pecherskaya), 34.7 x 29.5 cm
Russian antique icon depicting the Mother of God of Kiev‑Pechersk (Pecherskaya), dating to the early 19th century. The work measures 34.7 x 29.5 cm and is executed in egg tempera on wood prepared with levkas, with a gold ground. The Mother of God of Kiev‑Pechersk, also known as Our Lady of the Caves, is connected to the monastic tradition of the Kiev Caves (Pechersk) Lavra. According to tradition, one of the earliest images of this type was painted by the monk Alimpy in the 12th century and soon...
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Russian antique icon depicting the Mother of God of Kiev‑Pechersk (Pecherskaya), dating to the early 19th century. The work measures 34.7 x 29.5 cm and is executed in egg tempera on wood prepared with levkas, with a gold ground. The Mother of God of Kiev‑Pechersk, also known as Our Lady of the Caves, is connected to the monastic tradition of the Kiev Caves (Pechersk) Lavra. According to tradition, one of the earliest images of this type was painted by the monk Alimpy in the 12th century and soon became the object of great veneration because of miracles attributed to it. The iconography shows the Virgin seated on a throne, with the Christ Child at the center depicted blessing with both hands. At the sides, there are St. Anthony and St. Theodosius of the Caves, foundational figures of the monastic spirituality linked to the Kiev‑Pechersk complex, shown holding scrolls bearing devotional inscriptions. The composition relates the figure of the Mother of God to monastic tradition and the theme of spiritual protection: the gilded throne, the centrality of Christ and the presence of the two saints contribute to a solemn scene rich in references to the religious history of the Kiev‑Pechersk area. The icon’s tradition is also tied to the account of the healing of Prince Roman of Chernigov, an event that helped increase the image’s veneration and led to the diffusion of numerous iconographic variants over the centuries.
Provenance: Moscow, Russia.
Period: early 19th century.
Technique: egg tempera on wood prepared with levkas.
Materials: wood, levkas.
Finish: gold ground.
Dimensions: 34.7 x 29.5 cm.
Subject: Mother of God of Kiev‑Pechersk with St. Anthony and St. Theodosius of the Caves.
Accompaniment: expert's report and velvet presentation case.