This icon is a quite rare picture of the breastfeeding Virgin. Mary is shown in half-figure, offering her child on her left arm her breast which is unrealistically small.
Size 30 x 26 cm (11.8 x 10.2 inches)●
Author: Matthijs
The Virgin with Child (Our Lady of Sorrows)
This icon differs from the traditional Virgin icons in the colours it uses. The headdress is also different. The icon’s origin is unknown
Size 26 x 32 cm (10.2 x 12.6 inches) ●
The Virgin Jerusalimskaya
The archetypal icon, which is supposed to be the work of the evangelist Luke, came in 455 from Jerusalem via Constantinople to Kiev. The ruler Vladimir gave the icon as a gift to the citizens of Novgorod when they converted to Christianity. After Ivan the Terrible had subjugated Novgorod, he took the Virgin as booty to Moscow.
Size 27 x 35 cm (10.6 x 13.8 inches) ●
The Virgin Hodegetria
The suffering Virgin with the Christ Child, with references in the top corners to the crucifixion: the cross with crown of thorns, the lance and the stake with the sponge. In the Western churches this icon is revered as the “Our Lady of everlasting relief”.
Size 35 x 27 cm (13.8 x 10.6 inches) ●
The Virgin with Child
The Virgin with the Christ Child is sitting on a richly decorated seat. To the left and right are the angels Gabriel and Michael.
Size 26 x 32 cm (8.3 x 13.0 inch) ●
The Virgin Orans of Jaroslavl
The Virgin Orans of Jaroslavl belongs to one of the earliest pictures of Mary. In this icon, Mary is depicted in a praying pose (with raised hands). In front of Mary in the clypeus, Jesus also raises his hands. This archetypal icon originated from Constantinople, in the then district of Blachernitissa. On either side of Mary’s face, angels are depicted in medallions.
Size 24 x 43 cm (9.4 x 16.9 inches) ●
Saint Catherine
Saint Catherine is depicted in royal robes, with books and measuring instruments. The wheel is a symbol of the torment before her beheading. The cross and palm branch are references to her martyrdom. Saint Catherine’s monastery in the Sinai is named after her and according to the tradition her corpse was brought to this monastery from Alexandria.
Size 35 x 27 cm (13.8 x 10.6 inches) ●
The Holy Hierarchy
To the left in the foreground are the patriarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostomos. To the right in the foreground are the holy healers Cosmos and Damianus. To the left and right at the top are the holy warriors Gregory and Demitrius, and in the centre at the top is the Mandylion.
Size 32 x 25 cm (12.6 x 9.8 inches) ●
St. Nicholas with Scenes from his life
In the middle St. Nicholas is depicted in all his finery. His right hand makes a gesture of blessing and his left hand holds the book of the Gospels. On the left panel the young St. Nicholas heals the arm of a woman. Underneath his baptism is depicted and he is already preaching a sermon. At the top of the right panel the young St. Nicholas is taught by his uncle. Underneath he is preventing the execution of three citizens of Mira.
Size 48 x 39 cm (18.9 x 15.4 inches) ●
The Deesis
Part of the extensive Deesis from Saint Catherine’s monastery in the Sinai. Christ is flanked by Mary and John the Baptist, whose hands stretch towards Christ, begging for mercy for all mankind.
Size 39 x 27 cm (15.4 x 10.6 inches) ●