Icon: Icon of the Madonna Odigitria
Technique: natural tempera colors (prepared with egg yolks and vinegar) on table
Made in: Mount Athos
Dimensions: 50 x 40 cm
The icon of the Madonna Odigitria is widespread in the Byzantine world. It represents the Madonna who with her right hand indicates Jesus Christ as the way to follow. Jesus Christ is represented by a childish figure but with adult features and attitudes, while he blesses with his right hand and in his left hand he holds a scroll with the divine law.
This icon takes on an extraordinary religious and artistic value as it is a unique work that was painted by a monk dean of a monastery on Mount Athos.
Mount Athos is an Independent Monastic Republic, located on a promontory in northeastern Greece. Its territory hosts only monasteries that are inhabited only by monks who with their prayers and their work support the monastery itself.
One of the most important activities in the monasteries is that which is entrusted to a small number of monks and which concerns the painting and creation of icons. Each icon is painted with a superfine technique, handed down over the centuries from monk to monk. The time taken to complete an icon varies according to the figure represented and its size. In any case, several months pass between prayer and work to complete the icon, which is the result of deep meditation.
Each icon created in Mount Athos, in addition to being a sign of faith, also represents a unique and particularly rare work of art. Unique because it is made after months of prayer, meditation and work. Rare because their production is very slow and the icons of Mount Athos are requested by churches all over the world.
The technique for the realization of this icon is very complex and starts from the choice of the wood that will be used for the table. This will then be prepared with a technique used and perfected for centuries to last over time and become the patrimony of those who own it. After being composed and smoothed, the board is prepared to receive the tempera colors. The surface preparation is complex and articulated. several layers of stucco are superimposed that incorporate a canvas that serves to reinforce the board itself and to make it more suitable to withstand even the micro-movements of the wood. Finally, the painting is performed only with natural tempera colors that are prepared in the monasteries themselves by adding egg yolks and vinegar that will make the colors themselves more persistent and vivid over time.
This icon in consideration of its high religious and artistic value, represents a precious heritage for a church, for one's home as an asset to be handed down in the family or to be inserted in an art gallery. For this reason it is accompanied by a detailed photographic certificate of authenticity which certifies its origin and originality.
The shipment is treated in detail and with maximum protection, using only couriers specialized in the handling of works of art.
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