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This piece is offered privately. Contact us for pricing, provenance, and to arrange a viewing.
A deeply expressive and honest example of the Hodegetria tradition, where the Mother of God presents Christ as the guiding path. This icon reflects the quiet spirituality of rural workshops within the Russian Empire, preserving an older, pre-academic style across the transition from the late 18th into the early 19th century. The restrained palette, strong linear contours, and softened facial expressions convey a direct devotional presence rather than decorative refinement —an approach typical of icons created for personal prayer. The surface shows extensive age-related wear, with visible paint loss and areas where the original underdrawing emerges through time. No evident modern overpainting is present; the icon remains in an untouched state, preserving its authentic character. The wooden panel displays significant worm activity and natural aging on the reverse, consistent with its period and origin. Despite these conditions, the icon retains its structural integrity and spiritual depth.
