In this splendid icon the artist has incorporated a distinctive Western Baroque quality in the design of the church, with a perspective typical of medieval European manuscript painting. The strong late Byzantine character of Russian icons is enlivened by an animated quality in the figures. Through a parting of billowy clouds, God the Father looks down upon the scene, holding a globe and offering His blessings. The inscription above reads, "I in My glory". The infant Mary is seen wrapped in swaddling clothes resting upon a crib resembling flickering flames. Below, her mother Anna rest upon a bed, recuperating her strength. Joachim sits nearby at the table, upon which are two loaves of bread and a pitcher of wine, symbols of the Eucharist. At the bottom left, Anna and two handmaidens prepare to wash and bundle the little baby Mary. While saints pray along the border, angels swoop in from heaven, creating a feeling of energy on different planes of perspective. This effect makes the physical seem supernatural and the purely spiritual appear an intimate part of the real. It is this dualism that lies at the heart of the Christian faith, to which art hasgivenitsinvaluableservice.-(PF.4849)The Nativity of the Mother of God - PF.4849Origin: Russia Circa: 1750 AD to 1900 ADDimensions: 15.75" (40.0cm) high x 13.25" (33.7cm) wide Collection: Russian Icons Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Paint on Wood Panel

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