Russian icon of the Mother of God The Joy of All Afflicted - 19th century

tempera on panel.
The icon represents the miraculous icon of the Mother of God The Joy of All Afflicted, which was glorified in 1688 after the intercession and miraculous healing of the sister of Patriarch Ioachim.
During the 18th century, the icon knew many variations influenced by several Catholic iconographic elements.
The common feature is the image of the afflicted turning their prayers towards the Mother of God, their protector and patroness. The afflicted are consoled by angels sent by the Mother of God.
The Virgin dominates the scene in the central part, she is depicted full-length with the sceptre in her left hand and the three stars painted on her head and shoulders symbolising the Aeiparthenos, or 'perpetual virginity of Mary before, during and after childbirth'. Surrounding her are numerous supplicating worshippers, divided into four groups and identified by inscriptions within cartouches. On the left, from above, are depicted the gnudi protected by an angel and the pilgrims. On the right, from above, are depicted the afflicted, the sick, kneeling while stretching their hands towards the Virgin and an angel inviting the afflicted to prayer.
Between the figures are two angels resting on a cloud holding a scroll with Cyrillic inscriptions. High up in the centre, God the Father appears from the clouds in a sign of blessing. Although centred on the figure of the Mother of God, the icon reminds us that all salvation proceeds from the Son and, through Him, from God Himself. The entire scene is wrapped in a thin red frame with a gold background.
Height x width x depth: 22.5 x 27 x 3 cm
Item condition grading: **** good (a few colour fades and a few slight lacks).