Theotokos of Vladimir
The icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir (Russian Владимирская икона Божией Матери, transliteration: Vladimirskaja ikona Božiej material ), short Vladimirskaja, is an icon of late 11th or early 12th century, a national shrine of Russia and thus one of the main icons of the total Russian orthodoxy.
Origin
Legend has it that this icon is one of three portraits, which is said to have made Luke the evangelist of the Virgin Mary and the Christ child. In the 5th century, they should then have been brought on by order of Emperor Theodosius II of Jerusalem to Constantinople Opel. Investigations of the image could not confirm this legend. Rather, the icon in the early 12th century to have been made in Constantinople Opel and represents an outstanding example of spätkomnenischen icon painting
History
After the Kievskaja Rus' 988 "baptized" by Vladimir I. conversion to Christianity was, there was a great need for religious objects for the exercise of the new faith and the liturgy. This demand was met by imports of these products from Constantinople Opel. Came In this way, 1131-1136, two icons of the Mother of God to Kiev, one of which was probably the Vladimirskaja that was in Devičij monastery in Vyšgorod worshiped ( near Kiev ) as a miraculous image.
1155 the icon was brought on behalf of Prince Andrey Bogolubsky to Vladimir, where she was kept in the Uspensky ( Assumption ) Cathedral. Andrej Bogolubsky was Prince of Vladimir and Suzdal, from 1157 Grand Prince of Kiev; he chose as Grand Duke Vladimir residence and thus as a political center of the Kievan Rus, the former Russian Empire. In Vladimir let Andrej Bogolubsky numerous buildings of white stone building, including cathedrals, monasteries and fortifications. When the salvific Virgin of Vladimir, the Virgin Mary icon in the 14th century to the most revered image of Russia.
1395 the icon was moved again and taken to Moscow, where she was awarded in the Uspensky Cathedral of the 15th century later their place in the iconostasis right of the Tsars door. After allowing the iconic 1918 removed from the Uspensky Cathedral of the Kremlin, it was exhibited in 1926 in the State Historical Museum on Red Square before they were in 1930 classifying the collection of Tret'jakov gallery. With the inventory number 14243 it is now in the museum belonging to Tret'jakov Church of St. Nicholas of Tolmačach (Russian Музей - храм Святителя Николая в Толмачах, transliteration: Muzey - chram Svjatitelja Nikolaja v Tolmačach ).
National Shrine
The fame of the icon is based on legends surrounding alleged miracle of the icon, which are closely related to actual historical events of the Russian history. Everything should have begun that the horses, which should bring the icon to Rostov, Vladimir refused in the proceeding. Thus, the icon for the establishment of the new capital and a new empire ( Grand Principality of Vladimir ) to be responsible. 1395 is the iconic Moscow have saved from the attack by Tamerlane. And two more times to the icon Russia have preserved from destruction: 1451 and 1480 The year 1480 is particularly important, because while standing on the Ugra the Grand Duchy of Moscow began under Ivan III. . - Of course with the help of Vladimirskaja - to strengthen his power before Ivan IV the Terrible could push back the Golden Horde final.
Another story says that during the attack of the German army to Moscow in December 1941, Stalin allegedly ordered to leave the iconic flying in a plane over the city, so as to protect the people and the city.
Art History
The from an art historical point of view the most emphasized feature of the icon is undoubtedly the extremely high quality of their painting. However, as extensive studies of the Russian State Restoration Workshops in 1919 showed only the face and neck of the Mother of God, the face of the Christ Child and insignificant parts of the background date back to the original creation time of the icon.
Iconographically this representation, the Mother of God is one with the Christ child to the type of the so-called Eleusa. Eleusa (Greek for fellow sufferers, the Erbarmerin ) or Umilenie (Russian for Our Lady of emotion ) means that Mary the child turns to love and the intimate relationship between the two is clearly visible, with the painful expression on face of Mary on should point out that they can foresee the Passion in the future are already. The direct precursor and closely related type Eleusa this representation is the Hodegetria. The Vladimirskaja is the oldest surviving example of this type, which became widespread, especially in Russia.
Craftsmanship and design of the Vladimirskaja are of the highest elegance and security. The transition from contour line to modeled surface in the faces became exceedingly circumspect made the face of the Mother of God shows typical characteristics of high Byzantine painting, such as the narrow, pointed eyes, long nose and narrow mouth and chin area.
Others
The logo of Mel Gibson's production company Icon Productions represents a section of the Vladimirskaja.