Four-part icons include four different images painted on the same board, each with its own separate composition. Such icons were popular in Byzantium and appeared in Russia in the 14th–15th centuries. Later, in the 18th and 19th centuries, when icons were no longer produced only in monasteries, but also in special workshops, four-part icons became more popular. They were often commissioned for at-home prayer spaces. The composition of the icons was determined by the future owner.

One should begin reading the icon with the Resurrection of Christ from the top left corner which features “The Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” In the center of the composition, against the backdrop of the five-domed Church of Blachernae, the Virgin Orans is depicted, standing on a cloud with extended arms, holding a golden veil decorated with crosses. The top right part of the icon is titled “Joy of All Who Sorrow.” In the middle of the multi-figure composition, there is the Virgin Mary shown full length in royal attire, standing on a cloud against the golden background of a gloriole. With Her left arm, she holds the Christ Child, and in her right, she carries a scepter decorated with a cross, a testimony of Her heavenly power. The Virgin Mary is flanked by apostles and saints, with people in need shown below.

In the bottom left corner, there is “The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” Saint Anne is depicted reclining on a high bed, covered with lilac drapery and a white veil. She is the mother of Mary and the wife of Saint Joachim. She miraculously gave birth to her daughter after remaining childless until her old age. Near the bed, there is a maid holding Mary, and two other maids preparing to wash the child. In the background, Joachim is sitting at a table on a pedestal. To the left, in an archway, are the figures of Joachim and Anne, embracing each other. On the right, there is the icon “Our Lady of Saint Theodore”, which is a half-length image of the Virgin Mary, holding the Christ Child with her right arm and pointing at Him with Her left hand.

All four images are united by the Resurrection of Christ. In the middle, in a round medallion against the background of a golden gloriole, Jesus Christ is depicted full length, with His arms outstretched in blessing gestures, wearing bright red robes. On the left, at the Holy Sepulcher, are myrrh-bearing women and an angel, and on the right, there are the guards. The icon features three-dimensional figures and faces. It is painted using a bright and saturated color palette.