Virgin and Child

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Virgin and Child
Byzantium (Antioch); 13th c.

This icon is a Eleusa or Glykophilousa type of Virgin, the Merciful Virgin. It probably originated in Egypt, but was already found throughout Byzantium in the 11th c. It depicts a tender relationship between mother and child, rich with intimate and deep feeling. Both faces are serious and mystical and are joined in deep rapture. Christ blesses His mother putting His right hand on her breast. She holds her breast and Christ's hand in her right hand, and embraces her son with her left.