Description
An Early Cretan icon of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child, the type known as the “Sweet Kissing Mother of God” or “Glykophilousa” in Byzantine Greek. Late 15th c./ Early 1500’s.
As far as a serious collector’s choice in Greek icons or Russian icons might be concerned, this piece would be at the top of his preferred objects. Painted on the Greek island of Crete at a time shortly after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, Byzantium as it is known, it is as close to the original masterpieces created in the great City as the art of icon painting ever reached in the ensuing centuries in Greece, Russia or the Balkans.
The Mother of God is shown here wearing a reddish purple color cloth cover (which is a color of clothing worn by persons in mourning) as she is already saddened by the foreknowledge of her dearest infant Son’s death for the Redemption of Humankind. Her Child Christ presses His cheek against her’s, unaware of his redemptive future Sacrifice. This is one of the most emotionally evocative icons that the Art of Byzantium bequeathed to the history of art.
It is an icon of unparalleled quality, and certainly a type that has shown endurance in collecting interest amongst all collectors, Russian, Greek or Europeans and American. Examples of similar early and beautiful icons can be seen in most Greek, Russian, European, American Museums and Private Collections the world over.
From a Massachusetts old collection. More information and photographs are available to any interested persons.
NO overpainting, nothing missing, painted on a wood board.
