16th/17th Century Eastern Orthodox Icon on Board of the Virgin Mary and Jesus

An impressive and large scale painting on board of the Mother Mary holding the infant Jesus, each displayed wearing a crown with a golden sacred heart, probably Hungarian.

The inscription underneath reads 'Zdravas Kralovno' in Slovak, which translates to the Latin Salve Regina or Hail, Queen, these are a reference to the Latin Hymn of the same name, which is traditionally thought to have originated in 11th century Germany, and specifically to the monk Hermann of Reichenau. 

Unlike the Icons of Catholicism, these Eastern Orthodox Icons are considered sacred images and would be used in religious devotion. These Icons were painted on wooden panels, using gesso and egg tempera, the colours were much more muted than their Roman Catholic counterparts and tended to use deep reds, greens and gold palettes. Eastern Orthodox icons are neither marked by naturalism nor signed by the Iconographer, the saints and figures depicted whilst always beautiful appear flat and devoid of emotion. 

These Icons are considered by many as a window into Heaven and enable those who see them to focus on the divine.

This Icon of Gesso and egg tempera is surrounded by a Kovcheg, or Ark, to the back the wood has two Shponka or slats to prevent warping. 

A small but visible split to the board in the centre.

Height 89cm, Width 68cm, Depth 6cm 

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