Theotokos of Vladimir
Acrylic Paint on Ceramic Tile
9" x 11" x .75"

Vladimir Icon of the Theotokos was done on this tile - written for one of (many) aunts.

Traditionally Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is painted in somber colors. It falls under the type of Eleousa, which is a Greek word that can be translated as "Tenderness" (Virgin of Tenderness). However it is not a strict translation, because "Eleousa" means "The Merciful". That's why this Icon in Russian is named "Oumilenie" - "Of affectionate Tenderness". Eleousa and Oumilenie refer to two different aspects of the Icon: Eleousa refers to the virtue of Mary, mercy, Oumilenie refers to the sentiment experienced by the Child, following the intervention of his Mother, of affectionate Tenderness. The name Eleousa pertains directly to the Mother, whereas the name Oumilenie pertains to the Child.

The Icon was commissioned in Constantinople by a Russian and was brought to Vychgorod. In 1155 Prince Andrey Bogoluybsky ( "God-Loving") took it to Vladimir. In 1395 when Moscow was in danger of being captured during Tamerlane's invasion, the Icon was brought to Moscow. Tamerlane retreated, and the Icon was moved back to Vladimir. In 1480 it was again brought to Moscow Kremlin where it remained until 1918. From 1918 to 1939 the Icon was kept in the state history museum. In 1930 the Icon was turned over to the Tretyakov Gallery where you can see it today. Iconsexplained.com