GREEK (CRETAN), 16TH CENTURY

Details

THE MOTHER OF GOD OF THE PASSION
GREEK (CRETAN), 16TH CENTURY
The Mother of God portrayed half-length, looking at the beholder, supporting Christ on her left forearm, the latter leaning forward, turning his head towards the angel behind him and grasping his Mother's right hand, the two angels carrying the instruments of Christ's Passion, the garments of the Mother of God coloured in complimentary deep red and green, the stars on her forehead and the edges of her maphorion rendered in gold, Christ's white chiton decorated with lilies, his orange himation highlighted with dense chrysography, against a gold background
36¾ x 27¼ in. (93.3 x 69.2 cm)

Literature

For similar icons see:
E. Haustein-Bartsch, 50 Years Icon-Museum Recklinghausen, (Recklinghausen, 2006), plate on page 26
M. Acheimastou-Potamianou (Ed.), Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art, (Athens, 1986), nos. 117 and 151
M. Chatzidakis, Icones, (Venice, 1962), no. 20

Special notice

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Lot Essay

This iconography of the Mother of God was developed in Crete during the 15th century. One of the most famous, early examples of the subject is the icon painted by the celebrated Cretan iconographer, Andreas Ritzos, today at the Recklinghausen Museum. This lot bears stylistic similarities to Ritzos's icon as seen in the geometrical rendition of the folds and the fine, white highlights on the flesh. However, the more affectionate, human-like expression, the less austere manner of painting and the larger lilies on Christ's chiton, are similar to somewhat later examples, like the icon of the Hellenic Institute in Venice. This lot is therefore dated to the 16th century.

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