MacDougall's Russian Art Auctions 8-9 June 2011
8 June 2011
613. THE MOTHER OF GOD OF VLADIMIR IN A CROWNED SILVER-GILT OKLAD
12,000-15,000 GBP
CENTRAL RUSSIA, BEGINNING OF THE 18TH CENTURY.
31.5 by 27.5 cm.
The Vladimir Mother of God of Tenderness is one of the
most adored images in Rus; this tradition originated with the
famous 12th century Byzantine image from the Dormition
Cathedral in Vladimir, which was later taken to the
Dormition Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin. Apart from
exact copies of the ancient relic (for example, by Simon
Ushakov), there were also reproductions based on original
works.
Our icon belongs to the latter category and is entirely within
the distinctive Russian tradition, in which the original severe
features of the Virgin are replaced by a tender and quiet sor-
row. The icon painter has managed to convey the emotional
heart of the image: the Virgin’s eyes nurse an inner sadness
with the slight downwards curve of their outer corners and
the drooping long eyebrows, grief can also be read in the
firmly closed lips. The delineation of the infant’s face is
schematic: its smooth roundness is uninterrupted by the eye
sockets, cheekbones and chin, and yet this seeming imperfection emphasises the infant’s intimacy towards his mother, his
love and “caress”.
The icon belongs to the style of Russian icon painting that
was dominant until the mid 17th century and which did not
reflect the new ‘lifelike’ methods that became a distinguishing
feature of the Kremlin Armoury.
Deference to this image is reflected in the rich, silver-gilt ok-
lad, decorated with a busy chased floral design, but the
centrepiece is the massive crown supported by two angels,
with four repoussé cherubim in-between the five traditional
tips and the twin haloes enhanced by four semi-precious
stones. The pronounced feature of this oklad is the striking
Baroque ornamentation. This ‘clash’ of styles – the severity of
the faces and luxuriance of the oklad – give distinction to this
historic artefact.
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.