Russian Icon The Protection Of The Most Holy Mother Of God (pokrov) 19th Century

Russian icon “The Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God (Pokrov)”. Russia, second half of the 19th century. Wood panel with levkas, tempera. A complex and richly populated composition depicting the Feast of the Pokrov: in the upper part, the Mother of God appears in glory, standing upon clouds and extending her protective veil over the faithful; she is surrounded by angels and a large assembly of saints. In the lower register stands Saint Romanos the Melodist holding a scroll. Additional saints and architectural elements appear on the sides, characteristic of provincial iconographic traditions of the 19th century.

The painting is executed in a vivid, decorative manner typical of provincial workshops of the period: saturated colours, gilt halos, dense and expressive brushwork, and generously filled pictorial space. The faces of the Mother of God and the saints are rendered with strong expression, using the contrasting modelling and broad highlights characteristic of late 19th-century style.

Condition: the icon shows signs of age and devotional use, including paint losses in the lower section and on some figures, pronounced craquelure, and localized surface soiling. The reverse bears evidence of old wood damage. However, restoration has already been carried out, including consolidation of the panel, partial conservation, and stabilization of the paint layer. The structure is now reinforced and the condition is stable. Despite traces of time, the icon retains the expressive strength of its composition and its historical decorative appeal.