Intercession

Iconography:  Intercession of the Holy Virgin

Date: XVI century. The second half of the 16th century.

Iconographic school/art center:  North of Russia.

Origin: From the Church of the Intercession, Kizhsky Pogost, Medvezhyegorsky district, the Republic of Karelia.

Material: Wood, tempera

Dimensions:  height 133 cm, width 114 cm

In the center of the icon, the Mother of God is portrayed against the multi-dome Church of Blachernae standing on a fiery cloud with uplifted hands above which angels hold a scarlet veil. Above is the half-figure of Jesus Christ blessing with both hands. On either side of the Mother of God are the figures of saints in three rows – John the Baptist, John the Theologian, other apostles and angels. In the lower part of the icon, against the closed holy gates, in the center, on the amvon, is deacon Romanus the Melodist with an unfolded scroll. To his right St. Andrew the Fool of Christ is showing the Mother of God to his disciple Epiphanius by pointing up his finger. To the left is a group of praying people amongst which are generalized images of the emperor and the patriarch.

Inv. № И-951. © Republic of Karelia Museum of Fine Arts

  • General view
  • The saints (left)
  • The saints (right)
  • Romanus the Melodist with a group of praying people (right)
  • St. Andrew the Fool of Christ and St. Epiphanius
  • The Mother of God