Historical icon
Theotokos of Vladimir
- Dating
- Early 12th century
- Origin
- Constantinople, Byzantine Empire
- Author / school
- Unknown
- Location
- Church of St Nicholas in Tolmachi at the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow
- Iconographic type
- Eleousa (“Tenderness”) — iconographic type
About the icon
The Mother of God holds the Christ Child, who presses his face to her cheek. It is among the best-known examples of the Eleusa, or Tender Mercy, type.
Composition
Of the Eleousa type; the Child on the Mother's right arm, His left foot bared to the knee — a recognizable detail of this icon and its copies.
Feasts: Vladimir Icon of the Theotokos (deliverance of Moscow, 1521), Vladimir Icon of the Theotokos (deliverance of Moscow from Khan Akhmat, 1480), Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Theotokos (deliverance of Moscow from Tamerlane, 1395)
History of the icon: The Vladimir Icon of the Theotokos: history
An icon is an image for prayer. The description explains theological meaning and prayer tradition; it does not promise an outcome.
Source and image rights
Theotokos of Vladimir, early 12th century; public-domain faithful reproduction via Wikimedia Commons.
Public domain