Theotokos of Vladimir Icon

This icon reinterprets the renowned Byzantine Eleusa (Virgin of Tenderness) prototype, known throughout the Slavic world as the Mother of God of Vladimir (Theotokos of Vladimir). The composition centers on the intimate gesture between the Christ Child and the Theotokos, rendered here in a finely sculpted bas-relief produced through electroforming — a technique that ensures exceptional micro-precision and a subtly textured, silvered ground.

The silver-plated riza frames the sacred field with Palaiologan - style vegetal scrolls, while the four corner - set Bohemia crystals introduce chromatic accents that symbolically echo themes of sacrifice. Above the figures, a gilded halo composed of concentric rays enhances the icon’s luminous presence and recalls the gold - embroidered vestments featured in Russian icons of the 16th – 17th centuries.

The faces of the Mother and Child are executed in oil paint, lending softness, depth, and lifelike tonal transitions that harmonize beautifully with the silver of the riza. The modeling of the eyes and noses adheres to Byzantine canon, yet incorporates warm ocher tones and burnt-sienna shadows characteristic of the late Muscovite school.

The entire composition is housed within a toned oak case - frame, fitted with discreet side hinges that allow the icon to be displayed openly or protected when needed — an elegant reference to historical portable kiots. The layered frame profiles and dark wood patina create a refined contrast with the silver, underscoring the object’s dual identity as both sacred devotional piece and collectible work of art.

Through its synthesis of noble materials—silver, gold, and hardwood—and its disciplined adherence to Byzantine pictorial tradition, this small-format icon conveys, in a concentrated register, the theological beauty and aesthetic sophistication of the Vladimir - type tradition.