Icon Unexpected Joy antique Russia XIX century 40x30 cm

Icon Unexpected Joy antique Russia XIX century 40x30 cm.
This ancient Unexpected Joy icon dates back to the mid-1800s and comes from the central region of Russia. It is painted on a wooden tablet measuring 35.8x30.7 cm.This icon is inspired by a story written by St. Dimitrij Bishop of Rostov, whose incipit is written on a plaque under the Mother of God in the icon. This story tells the story of a sinner who, despite his crimes, used to repeat the Angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary in front of the icon of the Mother of God several times a day without mistake. One day, while he was meditating on a new particularly cruel sin, the icon came to life before him, covering itself with sores and losing blood from the hands and side of the Child. The dialogue between the two, written in the icon as highlighted lines between the characters, is thus written in the story. The man prostrated himself before the icon, asking who had done this to his Lord. The Virgin replied 'You and other sinners continue to crucify my Son with your sins as the Jews did'. After this scene, the man asked for Mary's intercession and obtained forgiveness and the unexpected joy of repentance and salvation, which gives the icon its name.This precious Our Lady of Unexpected Joy icon is delivered complete with a velvet box, certificate of authenticity and export document.