Icon Of The Mother Of God “the Sign” With Selected Saints, Russia, Second Half Of The 19th Century

The icon is painted according to the traditional iconography of the Mother of God “The Sign,” depicted in the upper part of the composition as a bust, with her hands raised in prayer and the medallion of Emmanuel on her chest, symbolizing the Incarnation of the Word. The composition is completed by a row of full-length saints arranged face-on against a golden background, emphasizing the image’s liturgical and intercessory nature. The central group forms a solemn symmetry characteristic of Russian icon painting from the second half of the 19th century, with a strict hierarchy of figures and clearly defined silhouettes. The painting is executed in tempera on levkas with a gilded background. The color palette is subdued, dominated by shades of ochre, green, and cinnabar. The faces are rendered with softness, featuring gradual highlights, in keeping with the academic tradition of late iconography. The borders are painted and outlined with a red line.

Dimensions: 36 × 31 cm.

Condition: Satisfactory state of preservation. There is some loss and wear to the paint layer, scuffing of the gilding, and signs of natural aging of the panel. No visible later repainting.

Provenance: Private collection.