183. Our Lady of the Great Panagia,

first third of the 13th century.

Tempera on lime wood, 193.2 x 120.5 cm.

The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Gothic.

 

 

This icon was discovered in 1919 in a warehouse of the Saint-Savior Monastery in Taroslav. Dated from the early twelfth century, it is representative of the Kievan School. Active from the first Christianization of Russian to the Mongol invasion and the sack of Kiev in 1240, the School of Kiev relied at first upon the Byzantine models. But soon, they developed their own style, offering to the faithful a more forgiving and understanding image of the religion. In this way, the Virgin Mary played the main part as an intercessor between men and God.