MacDougall's Russian Art Auctions 1-2 Dec 2010
1 December 2010
637. THE TIKHVINSKAYA MOTHER OF GOD
NORTH WESTERN RUSSIA, 17TH CENTURY
99 by 78 cm
20,000-30,000 GBP
The miracle-working icon of the Hodegetria Mother of God in the Tikhvin Uspensky Monastery was an especially revered relic in north western and northern Russia. The icon painter who created this image was probably familiar with the Novgorod tradition of icon painting of the 16th century. The range of colours in the icon is restrained, the tones used are dark, and the faces of the Theotokos and Christ are sorrowfully expressive.
Master icon painters repeated the iconography of this work not only in small icons, but frequently in copies as large as the original — to its “measure and likeness”. It is among icons of this kind, which expressed particular deference to the relic, that our icon belongs.
Notes on symbols:
* Indicates 5% Import Duty Charge applies.
Ω Indicates 20% Import Duty Charge applies.
§ Indicates Artist's Resale Right applies.
† Indicates Standard VAT scheme applies, and the rate of 20% VAT will be charged on both hammer price and premium.