Icons for SALE

The Virgin Eleusa. Click the icon for bigger view

Early 19 century; the Church of the Blessed Virgin at the Karloukovo Monastery; painted by Christo Dimitrov; Samokov school; tempera on wood; 105 x 70 cm., National History Museum, invt. No 991.

The icon has a decorated gilt frame. The background is blue. The inscriptions appear in gilt Baroque medallions. The icon is from the imperial row of the iconostasis.

Notwithstanding the inscription in Greek the icon presents a traditional iconography depiction of the Virgin Hodegetria, holding in her hands the Infant Christ. The painting technique is similar to that of the previously described icon. The medallions are the same, as well as the inscriptions in them and the paleography of the letters.

The beautiful face of the Virgin with the typical eyes, tiny lips and rosy complexion are stock elements of Christo Dimitrov's. The work is a perfect example of the synthesis between the classical mediaeval iconography with its stylized manner of painting and the Baroque, without losing the monumentality of the image. In the otherwise flat icon-painting, volume here is achieved through delicate gilt hatching and patches employed for additional gradation of undertones. This perfect balance between tradition and innovation projects the monumental and monolithic impact of the icon.