Glenda Harris
Icon of the Mother of God and Infant Christ Virgin Eleousa 2010.154_web
This beautiful icon, attributed to the Greek artist Angelos Akotantos, was painted with tempera and gold on a wood panel around 1450 CE, shortly before Constantinople was conquered in 1453. It is 37 13/16 x 27 9/16 inches. Akotantos was the preeminent painter on Crete at that time, and this is his only known work in the United States. Virgin Eleousa means Virgin of Tenderness, as shown by the mother and child lovingly touching cheeks. It includes much symbolism – Christ’s incarnation, suffering and death for humankind, the three stars symbolize Mary’s chastity, and the scroll the Christ Child holds symbolizes the Gospels, as well as other symbols.
It was purchased through the Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund, Accession Number 2010.154, is in the public domain, and can be seen at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Gallery 105, or online at www.clevelandart.org/art/2010.154.
Icon of the Mother of God and Infant Christ Virgin Eleousa 2010.154_web
This beautiful icon, attributed to the Greek artist Angelos Akotantos, was painted with tempera and gold on a wood panel around 1450 CE, shortly before Constantinople was conquered in 1453. It is 37 13/16 x 27 9/16 inches. Akotantos was the preeminent painter on Crete at that time, and this is his only known work in the United States. Virgin Eleousa means Virgin of Tenderness, as shown by the mother and child lovingly touching cheeks. It includes much symbolism – Christ’s incarnation, suffering and death for humankind, the three stars symbolize Mary’s chastity, and the scroll the Christ Child holds symbolizes the Gospels, as well as other symbols.
It was purchased through the Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund, Accession Number 2010.154, is in the public domain, and can be seen at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Gallery 105, or online at www.clevelandart.org/art/2010.154.