The icon Our Lady of Kazan was cast from a copper alloy in the 19th century by an unknown artist from the Pomorye region. It is an example of the Old Believer art.
In Our Lady of Kazan, we can see two figures: Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. Such icons with Virgin Mary are divided into two groups: the first type features the Mother and the Son with their cheeks pressed firmly against each other, and that was how artists expressed Mary’s feelings: fear, sorrow and apprehension about the fate of the little Jesus Christ that would save the humanity from its sins with His death. This type is called Eleusa. The second type, Hodegetria (the one to which this icon belongs as well), Our Lady is shown humble and full of reverence towards the future Savior.
Virgin Mary is depicted chest-length, her head is turned to the side, and she is looking at baby Jesus in her arms. Christ is painted half-length. The fingers of his right hand make the canonical gesture of blessing: his little finger and ring finger are pressed against the thumb. His left hand is covered with a mantle called himation.
In Our Lady of Kazan, we can see two figures: Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. Such icons with Virgin Mary are divided into two groups: the first type features the Mother and the Son with their cheeks pressed firmly against each other, and that was how artists expressed Mary’s feelings: fear, sorrow and apprehension about the fate of the little Jesus Christ that would save the humanity from its sins with His death. This type is called Eleusa. The second type, Hodegetria (the one to which this icon belongs as well), Our Lady is shown humble and full of reverence towards the future Savior.
Virgin Mary is depicted chest-length, her head is turned to the side, and she is looking at baby Jesus in her arms. Christ is painted half-length. The fingers of his right hand make the canonical gesture of blessing: his little finger and ring finger are pressed against the thumb. His left hand is covered with a mantle called himation.
