Virgin Mary Vladimir Icon

Virgin Mary Vladimir Icon is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, one of the most beloved images of the Theotokos. It belongs to the Eleusa, or Tenderness, type, where the Christ Child presses close to His Mother and she receives Him with love and sorrow.

This version is richly finished with full 960 gold leaf, a hand-chased plant ornament, a recessed kovcheg, and gold brocade-like painting on the maforion of the Mother of God. It is a solemn, luminous icon for prayer, family blessing, and long-term devotional use.

Meaning of the Virgin Mary Vladimir Icon

The Vladimir icon is a powerful image of maternal love, protection, and intercession. Orthodox Christians pray before it for peace, family unity, the protection of children, healing, and help in difficult decisions.

The Mother of God looks outward toward the person praying, while Christ Child embraces her closely. Her gaze carries tenderness and grief, expressing both maternal compassion and the foreknowledge of Christ’s Passion.

Eleusa: The Tenderness Type

Eleusa means Tenderness. In this iconographic type, the Theotokos and Christ Child are shown in close contact, cheek to cheek. The embrace expresses divine love, human trust, and the nearness of Christ to the soul.

A distinctive feature of the Vladimir image is the visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s left foot. This detail emphasizes the true humanity of Christ, who took flesh and accepted human vulnerability for our salvation.

Gold Leaf, Kovcheg, and Chased Ornament

The background, margins, and kovcheg are covered with 960 gold leaf. Over the gilded surface, the master works a continuous hand-chased plant ornament with vine and floral forms. In candlelight, this relief catches the light and creates a soft, living radiance.

In Orthodox iconography, gold represents divine and uncreated light. The plant ornament suggests paradise, heavenly beauty, and the sacred dignity of the holy image.

Brocade-Like Garment Painting

The maforion of the Mother of God is richly painted with gold ornament, imitating precious Byzantine brocade and pearl embroidery. This decorative work emphasizes the royal dignity of the Theotokos as Queen of Heaven.

The border details also include painted imitation of precious stones and pearl strands. These details make the icon especially festive, while the center of the image remains the tender embrace of Mother and Child.

Icon Characteristics

Materials and Traditional Technique

The icon is painted on a solid linden board. A kovcheg is cut on the front of the board, while oak splines are inserted on the back to help protect the panel from warping. Linen and multiple layers of chalk gesso prepare the surface for gilding and painting.

The faces and garments are painted with egg tempera made from mineral pigments. The gold leaf and ornament are made by hand, giving the icon depth, durability, and a luminous sacred presence.

Choosing a Size

Available sizes are 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). Because this icon includes fine chasing and garment ornament, larger sizes show the craftsmanship more clearly.

For a wedding gift, central family icon, or home iconostasis, the 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) sizes are especially expressive.

Prayer and Family Use

Before the Vladimir Mother of God, Orthodox Christians pray for peace, protection, reconciliation in family life, the care of children, healing, and spiritual clarity before important decisions.

The image is often chosen for Orthodox weddings because the Eleusa composition speaks of love, fidelity, tenderness, and spiritual unity.

Care and Preservation

An icon with gold leaf, chased relief, and fine painted ornament should be handled with great care. It should not be washed, polished, or wiped with a damp cloth, and household cleaners should never be used.

Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush. A glazed wooden icon case is strongly recommended to protect the gold, tempera painting, and wooden board.

Ordering, Shipping, and Payment

The icon is available in several sizes. Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.

Questions and Answers

What is the Virgin Mary Vladimir Icon?

It is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, an Eleusa or Tenderness image of the Theotokos with Christ Child.

What makes the Vladimir icon recognizable?

The visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s left foot is one of the clearest signs of the Vladimir iconographic type.

What is special about this version?

This version has full 960 gold leaf, hand-chased plant ornament, a kovcheg, and rich gold brocade-like painting on the maforion.

What does the chased gold background symbolize?

The gold background symbolizes divine light, while the plant ornament evokes paradise, heavenly beauty, and the sacred dignity of the image.

What is kovcheg on this icon?

Kovcheg is the recessed central field of the icon board, framed by raised margins and traditionally understood as a sacred window into the heavenly world.

What do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?

They pray for peace, protection, family reconciliation, help with children, healing, and guidance before important decisions.

What sizes are available?

Available sizes are 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in).

Which size is best for the detailed ornament?

The 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) sizes show the chased gold and brocade-like garment painting especially well.

Can this icon be chosen as a wedding icon?

Yes. The Vladimir Mother of God is one of the most traditional and meaningful icons for an Orthodox wedding blessing.

How are shipping and payment arranged?

Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.