Russian icon hand painted Madonna Helping the Deceased 31x27 cm

Hand-painted Russia icon Our Lady of Help to the Dead 31x27 cm. The icon Our Lady of Help to the Dead represents the last refuge for people close to passing away. This name has been adopted by the Russian people since time immemorial and several miraculous icons refer to it through which the Holy Virgin showed her mercy to people who had already crossed the threshold of death. In the middle of the 17th century, on the day of the Epiphany, the pious peasant Fedot Obukhov was stranded in the middle of a snowstorm. The horses were tired and he lay down in the sleigh and began to fall asleep. However, he found the strength to cry out for help to the Queen of Heaven by promising to create the icon ''The Recovery of the Lost'' for his parish church. His prayer was heard. A farmer from a nearby village found him half frozen and saved him. After recovering, he completed his vow. In the icon the Mother of God has her head tilted slightly to the left, supports the Child and holds her hands clasped, while the Child instead presses his face against that of the Mother and holds her neck with his hand.Subject: Madonna of Help to the DeadProvenance: Golden Ring of Moscow-RussiaTechnique: egg temperaMaterials: wooden board internally reinforced to counteract the natural curvature, Levkas (gypsum compound mixed with sturgeon oil and linseed oil), gold leafYear of production: 2023Measurements: 31x27 cm.The protective box is included in the shipment.