27. Icon on glass, "Mother of God - Taming of the hardened hearts", workshop in Schei Brasov, half of the 19th century, extremely rare, collector's item

Размери

width 43 cm, height 49 cm

Описание

Tempera and gold leaf on glaze, antiqued and painted frame, with rope.

Информация от изследване

The icon, which is less common, is known under the names "Seven Arrows", "Prophecy of Simeon" or "Taming of the Hardened Hearts". According to Russian synaxaria, it is celebrated on August 13 (old style: August 26), as well as in the week following the Sunday of All Saints. It is one of the few iconographic representations in which the Mother of the Lord appears alone, with her heart pierced by seven daggers or arrows. The arrangement of the daggers varies: four on the left side and three on the right side, or vice versa, or three on each side and one central, vertical, at the bottom. The number seven here symbolizes the completeness of pain, sorrow, and suffering. The theological foundation of this representation can be found in the prophecy of the Righteous Simeon, who met the Baby Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem, when the Virgin Mary and Joseph brought him, forty days after his birth. Then, the Righteous Simeon said to the Mother of God: "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Luke 2, 34-35)