Icon depicting "Mother of God of Kazan" (lot 12). Russia, 19th century

Icon depicting the "Mother of God of Kazan," egg tempera on wood panel, classic style of central Russia. It has a dating, on a label on the back: October 14, 1881. Measurements: cm 26.5 x 31.2 Price between 1,500.00/1,800.00 euros Item accompanied by a certificate of authenticity This icon was made in the 19th century in Russia using the technique of egg tempera and gold leaf on wood panel. It depicts the Madonna of Kazan, an image of the Madonna and Child, inspired by an icon of Byzantine origin dating back to the 11th century, traditionally painted in Constantinople. Dispersed in 1209, it was rediscovered, thanks to a miracle, in 1579 in Russia in the city of Kazan, from which it takes its name; again dispersed in 1917, it was finally rediscovered in 1953. In March 1993, the icon of the Madonna of Kazan was donated to Pope John Paul II, who kept it in his private study in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. There it remained until 2004, when the Pope returned it to the Annunciation Cathedral of Kazan as a hope for dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. The ancient work was composed of a painted wooden panel partially covered by a riza studded with precious stones; all subsequent versions followed the same iconographic model and soon became the most venerated Marian icon in Russia, protector of the country. Considered the protector of the family, it was given to the spouses, placed in the carriage that led them to their new home, where it had to enter first, as Lady of the domestic hearth. Currently, numerous versions taken from the ancient icon are venerated, the main one of which is known as the "Image of Fátima." The icon presented here, in good condition, is therefore a testimony to the fortune of the subject in private devotion in the 19th century and which is still strongly rooted today.