Russian
19th cent.
24x21x2,5 cms. The icon has a brass oklad and nimbus within a carved wood and gesso gilded frame and placed within a glass fronted kiot. Overall, the kiot measures 48x41x12.5 cms.
The Virgin of Korsun is the most representative example of the "Oumileinye" ["Tenderness"] type of Russian icons. The loving intimacy between The Virgin and the Christ Child is palpable. Attributed to St Luke the icon, the original accompanied the arrival of a Byzantine Princess on her marriage to Prince Vladimir and the conversion of Russia to Christianity in 988. An alternative legendis that it was brought to Russia in the 12th cent. by Princess Evfronsinia.
Although examples exist of Christ being on both the right and left arm of The Virgin, the common feature is that they portray only the upper parts of the body of the Virgin and Jesus clinging lovingly to Her. There is no sterness of gaze. Mary looks down lovingly and tenderly at Her Son. She cuddles Him tightly with both hands and gently presses Her cheek against His raised face. For His part, Christ reaches up to touch Mary's maphorion. A moment of intense personal love enhanced by the extreme close-up of the depiction.
This particular icon dates from the last quarter of the 19th cent. during a period of increased Russian affluence which displayed itself in iconography by a popularity of an exuberance in frame decoration. Probably the combined creation of a highly skilled iconographer an expert carpenter from the Ukraine, it was commissioned as a gift for the Orthodox Church in the village of Golaesti in Bessarabia [now in north-east Romania]. In 1944 The Red Army set the Church ablaze and the icon, together with other artefacts and the priest, was rescued. All were given safe haven in the town of Iasi by the Ardeleanu family. They remained there until the collapse of Communism. Whilst other items were returned to The Church, this icon together with the "Pantocrator" [cat.0118ba] were given to the Ardeleanu family as a token of gratitude.
An affadavit confirming provence and title has been made by the Ardeleanu family.
Please note because of the size and weight of this icon, it is excluded from the concession of free shipping and insurance within the Europan Union. Prospective purchasers are requested to contact Icon Rus prior to payment to ensure a correct invoice is issued.
