THE VIRGIN HODIGITRIA, SAINT CYRIL of Alexandria and SAINT J - Lot 66

THE VIRGIN HODIGITRIA, SAINT CYRIL of Alexandria and SAINT JEAN PRODROMOS Romania c.1850 Gilded-background tempera on panel covered with an embossed and engraved metal oklad adorned with bluish glass foil The Virgin Hodigitria "who shows the way" [of the Son] is depicted frontally, combining the hieratic linearity of the Byzantine tradition with Western Baroque carnality and ornamentation. On the left, in the background, behind the Virgin, Saint Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, who actively defended at the Council of Ephesus in 431, the attribution of the denomination of Mother of God to Mary by virtue of the uniqueness of the divine incarnate nature of God the Logos, and on the right, in the background, behind Christ, Saint John Prodromos, who announced His coming. Echoing their halos, in the upper corners of the composition, the monogram of her title in ancient Greek ΜΡ ΘΥ The icon is in very good structural condition, free of repentirs and partially still covered with its original varnish, it does however show some wear, gaps and cracks due to the removal and re-installation of the metal oklad 25 x 30 cm Expert: LYDIA MANIC Icons - Appraisals - Restorations 14 rue J.J Rousseau 75001 Paris