Icon - Mother of God Hodegetria - Wood

Russian Icon “Bogomater” (The Mother of God) – 19th Century – Tempera on panel – Characteristic blue background

I am offering for sale an original 19th-century Russian icon depicting the Mother of God with the Christ Child in the classic iconographic style of "Bogomater with Child." This icon comes from a Russian provincial workshop and is notable for its intense blue background, a feature highly valued in domestic devotional pieces from the second half of the 19th century.

Artistic description

The scene depicts the Theotokos lovingly leaning towards the Christ Child, whom she holds on her left arm. The Child, dressed in a green tunic and red mantle, is shown in the act of blessing and holds a small, closed Gospel, a symbol of divine authority.

Highlights:

Egg tempera on board with traditional priming (levkas).

Deep blue background, typical of 19th-century Russian rural icons.

Aged golden halos, with natural patina and wear from time.

Detailed folds in the cloaks, with marked lines and shading characteristic of the Russian folk school.

Partially visible inscriptions in Church Slavonic, identifying the Mother of God and the Child (“МР ΘХ” and “IC XC”).

Red painted frame around the entire composition, a sign of a domestic devotional icon.

The proportions, the treatment of facial features, and the chromatic design are consistent with Russian workshops from the Volga or southern Russia in the mid/late 19th century.

Condition of preservation

Work in its authentic state without aggressive modern restorations.
Presents

Original tempera crackle, uniform and stable.

Typical wear and surface scratches of household icons.

Losses in the paint layer, especially in the blue background.

Natural darkening of the gold and wear on the edges.

Reverse side with old patina, initials or handwritten mark possibly of the original owner.

Solid board with no structural breaks.

All of this confirms a genuine antiquity of over 150 years.

Time period and origin

Russian provincial school, probably Volga region or peripheral Moscow workshops.

Second half of the 19th century (approx. 1850–1880).

Technique and pigments consistent with devotional icons of artisanal production.

Collectible interest

This icon is especially appreciated by:

The blue background is less common than the traditional gold.

The gentle expressiveness of the Virgin's face.

Its genuine character, without modern repainting.

Its ideal size as a collector's item or personal devotional piece.

A perfect icon for collectors seeking authentic works with a strong aesthetic presence.

Dimensions