Birth of the Virgin, 17th century
Russian Icon
31.1 x 26.9 cm
2921
£ 4,800.00
Condition: the gesso borders were once covered with silver revetement (basma)
Provenance: Germany art market
Feast Day: 21st of September
The icon follows the standard imagery of the Birth of the Virgin. On the left, we see Saint Anna reclining on a bed, attended by midwives. On the bottom right, the new Virgin and the new-born are attended by midwives. Above them, atop a tower, is Joachim the father of the Virgin, he observes the scene from this isolated position under a ciborium. The imagery of the Birth of the Virgin (Nativity of the Theotokos) is taken from the apocryphal Book of James or Protevangelium, a late second century ‘gospel’ recounting the life of the Virgin.
Exhibitions
Summer 20221
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