M. Palumbo (XX) - Icona Sacra - Madre della Tenerezza - 30 x 40 cm

Icon of the Mother of God of Tenderness (Eleousa)
A Window on the Divine
The icon is not merely a decorative object, but a true window onto the divine, a tool of prayer and contemplation that leads the observer toward the spiritual dimension. In both Catholic and Orthodox tradition, the icon makes present the grace of the depicted subject, inviting intimate dialogue with God.
Symbolism and Colors of the Work
The Mother of God of Tenderness (Eleousa): The icon depicts the Virgin Mary receiving the Infant Jesus with infinite sweetness, who rests his cheek against her face and girds his arm around her neck. This gesture expresses the deep unity, visceral love, and compassion between the Mother and the Son of God.
The Sacred Sigla: At the top appear the Greek abbreviations MP ΘΥ (Mētēr Theou, Mother of God), while at the bottom left is the monogram IC XC (Iēsous Christos, Jesus Christ).
The Stars (I Mapphoria): On Mary’s veil and shoulders there are the three eight-pointed stars (a symbol of her perpetual virginity: before, during, and after the birth).
The Colors: The burnt brown of the robe and the background represents the earth and the humility of humanity assumed by Mary; the ivory/white of the mantle symbolizes purity and the light of divine Grace; the gold of the large aureole signifies the uncreated light, glory, and the kingship of the Kingdom of God.
Technique and Artistic Craftsmanship
The work was executed by the author on a wooden panel deliberately left raw at the edges to highlight the materiality and authenticity of the support. It faithfully follows the traditional Byzantine painting technique with egg tempera and natural pigments, laid on a handmade gesso-and-glue prepared ground.
Author's Formation and Blessing
The author, an artist from Monte Sant’Angelo, obtained a certificate as iconographer at the historic Abbey of San Giovanni in Pulsano, where the Pulsanese monks transmitted to him the ancient and exhaustive techniques of Byzantine sacred painting.
The icon has also been blessed inside the Sacred Celestial Grotto of Saint Michael the Archangel in Monte Sant’Angelo, a place of worship unique in the world because it was consecrated directly by the Archangel Michael and not by human hands.
(Note: The photograph of the work inside the golden frame is solely for illustrative purposes. The icon is created and supplied on a wooden panel)