Virgin Mary Hodegetria – Silkscreen on Naturally Aged Wood – Mount Athos

Description

Icon of the Theotokos in Prayer Pose on Naturally Aged Wood

A beautiful silkscreen print on naturally aged wood from Mount Athos, depicting the Theotokos in a prayerful stance.

This is a remarkable iconographic theme showing the Theotokos, the Protector of all humanity, who always prays and intercedes with Jesus Christ, her Only-Begotten Son, for the redemption and salvation of mankind. The Theotokos has always been, is, and will continue to be the mediator between Jesus and humanity. She is the One who hears the prayers, concerns, and pain of the faithful and the One who carries them to her Son. This is symbolized in this specific image, where the Virgin is depicted in a stance of intercession. She is facing Jesus, interceding and praying for the salvation of people, for the granting of His Grace, to help them, and to remove them from sin so they can be redeemed.

There are two elements that contribute to the aesthetic superiority of this image. One is the flawlessly crafted depiction by the monk, with the addition of a hammered halo, and the second is the naturally aged wood used as the base for the icon.

The serene image of the Theotokos, who shelters and protects the entire Holy Mountain, is depicted on this wood. It is wood from a cell that was renovated and found its rightful place in this image.

The conservation was carried out using many different methods that did not alter its character or form, but stopped the destructive power of time, just as the restoration of iconostases in Mount Athos is done. Following this, the artificially aged silkscreen print of the Theotokos was carefully matched with the old wood. The only artistic intervention by the monk, who took responsibility for restoring the wood of the door and transforming it into an icon, was the addition of the hammered halo around the image.

Since the icon is handmade and the wood processing is done by hand, there may be slight variations in the wood, but not in the depiction.

The icon is available upon request.

Dimensions: 25 x 32 x 2.5