Late 14th – early 15th century
Tempera on wood
81 x 61

The holiday of the Celebration of Our Lady (Sobor Bogomateri) is an Orthodox tradition on the day following Christmas. The given icon is the earliest of the icons made on Russian soil and dealing with the theme of the Christmas song: «What will you bring to Christ as he appeared on Earth, as a man who brings us joy, each says thanks to You: angels by singing; the heavens – by a star; songs as gifts; pastors – miracles; the Earth-a cave….we -Mother of God…» In the centre of the composition we see Our Lady seated on a throne and with a depiction of Christ Emmanuel in a 8-pointed, two-coloured “glory”. In accordance with the text of the liturgical song, all the personages depicted in the icon bearing their gifts. In the upper corners of the icon there are small images of St Nikolai and St Paraskeva. The passionate, temperamental painting has a colour range built on the combination of dark-green emerald tones with coral and brown, while white probela placed with energetic strokes all give the best idea of Pskov painting at the end of the 14th and beginning of the 15th century.

at 10, Lavrushinsky Lane, Hall 58