This icon in the exhibition is dedicated to the holy day of the Laudation of the Mother of God during the Great Lent.
The Laudation of the Mother of God
Creation period
XVII c., first half
Dimensions
180x145 cm
Technique
Tempera
Collection
Exhibition
3
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The Laudation of the Mother of God
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The dominant theme of the icon is the laudation, or praise, of the Mother of God and the miracle of Jesus Christ’s birth. The iconography is based on the narratives of prophecies and ceremonial hymns. This icon has a balanced composition. The centerpiece of the icon is the Mother of God sitting atop a throne. Above her is Immanuel, the name Christ had in icons as a youth. The Holy Mother and Immanuel are surrounded by an impressive group of prophets.
Some of the characters bear the attributes that symbolize the immaculate conception and the miracle of nativity: a ladder, a star, a tablet, and others. Virgin Mary’s hands are folded in a gesture of attention, for she is receiving praise from the prophets. In the top segment of the icon is Lord of Sabaoth, one of the Biblical names for God, the Lord of Heaven and Earth. This subject, known in Byzantine pictorial art, spread in Russian art in the 15th – 16th cc.
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The central figures are encircled in a decorative floral garland with a heart-shaped crown. This motive is called the Tree of Jesse, and it is a depiction in art of the ancestors of Jesus Christ. The saturated coloration of the icon is dominated by brown ochre, but the Mother of God and Immanuel have a lighter background making them stand out.
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The celebration of the Laudation of the Mother of God was first instituted in the IX c. when the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, Constantinople, finally fought off a hostile invasion. The story goes that the intercession of the Mother of God saved the town from many enemy attacks.
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This Laudation of the Mother of God icon was part of the interior of the Church of Prophet Elijah, where the warm southern side altar was dedicated to the celebration of this holy day. The description of Elijah’s Church dating back to the middle of the XVII century contains a description of this icon: it was clad in gilded copper, Virgin Mary’s embossed crown was decorated with 20 garnets, while Immanuel and Lord of Sabaoth had crowns too. The mounting has not survived to this day.
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Parts of the icon
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Yaroslavl Museum Reserve
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The Laudation of the Mother of God
Creation period
XVII c., first half
Dimensions
180x145 cm
Technique
Tempera
Collection
Exhibition
3
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