Russian Icon Of The Virgin Of All Afflicted – 19th Century

Russian icon of the Virgin of All Sorrows – 19th century

Russian icon in tempera on wood depicting the Virgin of All Sorrows (Всех скорбящих Радость / Vsekh Skorbyashchikh Radost'), one of the most consoling images in the Orthodox tradition.

Description

In the center, the Virgin stands enthroned with the crowned Infant Jesus in her arms, surrounded by a radiant mandorla symbolizing the heavenly powers. She is surrounded by angels and praying faithful – the sick, beggars, children and suffering figures – who have come to seek help and healing.
Each is depicted in an attitude of imploration, with phylacteries bearing Slavonic inscriptions (visible in the close-ups).
At the top, the blessing Christ in a red medallion dominates the scene, affirming the divine source of comfort dispensed by his Mother.

The style, the costumes, the vivid color palette (ochres, greens, carmine, gold) and the hieratic organization of the decoration allow us to date this work to the second half of the 19th century, probably from a workshop in Moscow or the western Russian provinces.

Dimensions: 35.5 cm × 31.5 cm
Origin: Imperial Russia
Period: circa 1860–1890
Technique: tempera on wood, plate ground, Slavonic inscriptions

Condition:

Very good overall condition, with some wear and stabilized cracks.
Very beautiful old patina on the reverse, with kovcheg (central cavity) and two original crosspieces.

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