Lot 648
- 648
Mother of God 'Vzygranie Mladentsa', Moscow, late 16th century
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
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Description
- tempera on panel
- 74 by 58cm, 29 1/8 by 22 7/8 in.
the Child turning his back to the viewer and throwing back his head, sitting in his Mother's arms, his body turned towards her as if he wishes to embrace her, touching her cheek in an exalted movement with his left hand while his right arm dangles loosely at his side
Exhibited
Recklinghausen, Ikonen Museum, Pforte der Himmels, 2008
Literature
E. Haustein-Bartsch (ed.), Pforte der Himmels, Kerber Verlag Bielefeld, 2008, Cat. No. 67
Condition
This was originally a double-sided processional icon, the painting on the reverse has been obliterated.
The panel consists of three pieces of wood, and there are two vertical cracks that have been restored, running from the top to the bottom. There are several small areas of restoration. A fresh patch of damage appearing to the lower left part of the mantle of the mother of God. The background has been stripped to the levkas.
We would advise prospective buyers to view.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The Russian iconography of the Mother of God with the playing child (Umilienie) can be traced back to the mother of god Pelagonitissa, a version of the Mother of God Eleousa (Mother of God of Tenderness). There are only a few Russian icons of this type from the 16th/17th century. A comparable icon with a similar composition, in the Korin collection, Moscow, dated to the first half of the 16thcentury, has the Mother and Child arranged in slightly different postures. (Antonova 1966, cat. Nr. 53, illustration 71)
It is characteristic of the Pelagonitissa that the Mothe🃏r of God looks towards the viewer, but this icon is unusual in that she gazes contemplatively into the distance, aware of the difficult destiny that awaits her son.