Antique Russian icon, Our Lady of Smolensk XVIII century

Antique Russian icon, Our Lady of Smolensk XVIII century 33.3x28cm.
The icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk was taken to Constantinople from Jerusalem in 1046. When Anna, the daughter of the emperor Constantine Monomachos, married the prince of Cernigov, Vsevolod, Constantine blessed her with this icon.
During the XII century the son of Vsevolod and Anna, Vladimir Monomachos, brought the icon to Smolensk; it was then that it got the name Smolenskaya.
The first miracle attributed to the icon happened in 1237, when the citizens of Smolensk fought and won against the can Batyi after having prayed in front of the Sacred Image.
In 1812, during Napoleon's invasion, the Russian army took the Miraculous Icon with them. Before the battle of Borodino, the Icon was taken to every member of the army so that it could protect Russia from the enemy and help them to win the battle.
It belongs to the type of icons "Odighitria".
The Mother of God is represented while leaning her head towards the baby. The hems of the dress open in two on the chest, thus showing the "Chiton".
The figures of Christ and the Virgin are detached, the Saint Mother of God is represented with her right hand indicating Baby Jesus (who is sitting on her left hand) as if she was indicating to the people that the real path to follow is the path towards God.
This icon is like a guide towards God and towards eternal Security. It is one of the oldest images of the Mother of God.

Origin: Moscow Russia
Material: Wood, Levkas
Technique: Egg tempera
Measurements: 33.3x28 cm
Epoch: XVIII century.
This icon comes with a certificate of origin and guarantee, together with export documents and the expert report made by the Russian Ministry of Cultural Heritage.