Icons

A monumental icon of the Mother of God Joy to all who grieve, Russia, 18th century (sale 189, lot 263)

A monumental icon of the Mother of God "Joy of all who sorrow". The Mother of God holding Christ, standing in a radiant glory, flanked by four angels and two angels above each unfolding an inscribed scroll. The lower part of the composition depicting the afflicted people. With the Lord Sabaoth above. Cyrillic inscription on the upper border. Tempera on wood. Golden haloes restored. Vertical hairline cracks. Border minimal restored. Russia, 18th century. 107 x 79,5 cm. The icon was inspired by the hymn: "Let us the sinful and unworthy fervently run to the Mother of God And fall down crying in repentance from the depths of our souls: Help us, O Lady who hast had mercy on us. Hasten, for we perish from a multitude of sins. Turn not thy servants empty away, for we have thee as our only hope.". A woman named Euphymia (sister of Patriarch Joachim) received healing from sickness after obeying a voice telling her to find this icon and have the priest celebrate a Molieben with blessing of water. This miracle occurred in 1688.