• The Virgin Galaktotrofousa
  • Item ID : 303
  • Collection Name : Holy Metropolis of Ydra, Spetses and Egina
  • Type : Icon
  • Year : 19nt c. AD
  • Place : Idra
  • Τechnique : Egg tempera on wood
  • Dimension : 39,5 x 31 εκ
  • Current Place : Saint Athanasios church, Gourmadas
  • Description : In a single panel Virgin Mary is depicted against a gold background, half length. The iconographic type does not follow the traditional theme of the “Holy Family,” instead The Virgin is presented alone with the Christ Child. The manner of drapery rendition is combined with novel ones that have close affiliation to the Western tradition.
    Virgin’s maphorion is not the standard one but is enriched with elegant embroideries and different color than the usual crimson-red one.
    Her facial characteristic tends to be melancholic while gazing at the Christ Child while holding him in her both arms.
    The child is turned slightly to the left with both hands holding the left breast of the mother, ready to nurse the life-giving milk.
    He wears an off-white dress and red gold-embroidered robe, leaving uncovered the left shoulder and legs.
    He wears an incised simple halo bearing the inscription: Ο ΩΝ (The One Who is), while at the height of the Virgin’s neck the inscription: “The food-bearer,” and at her right side the inscription: ΙΣ ΧΣ.
Apostoliki Diakonia