Vladimir Icon of Blessed Mother
$1500
Vladimir Icon of Blessed Mother is a hand-painted Vladimir Mother of God icon in the Eleusa type, with the Theotokos and Christ Child touching cheek to cheek and the Child’s bare foot visible.
Listed size: 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). Smooth 960 gold leaf background, red canonical inscriptions, ornamental corners, egg tempera painting, and traditional linden board with kovcheg. Free international shipping, with payment after delivery.
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Vladimir Icon of Blessed Mother is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, one of the most revered images of the Theotokos. It belongs to the Eleusa, or Tenderness, type, where the Christ Child presses His face to the face of His Mother and embraces her with love.
This version is noble and restrained rather than heavily ornamental. A smooth polished 960 gold leaf background, clear red canonical inscriptions, delicate red-and-gold corner ornament, and balanced silhouettes give the icon a quiet and prayerful solemnity.
Meaning of the Vladimir Icon of Blessed Mother
The Vladimir icon has a special place in Orthodox prayer for protection, peace, family unity, and spiritual consolation. For centuries, Christians have turned to the Mother of God before this image in moments of danger, sorrow, illness, conflict, and difficult decisions.
The icon is not only historically revered; it is deeply personal. The Child reaches for His Mother, while the Theotokos looks outward toward the person praying. Her gaze is filled with tenderness and sorrow, holding both maternal love and the foreknowledge of Christ’s Passion.
Eleusa: The Tenderness Type
Eleusa means Tenderness. In this iconographic type, the faces of the Mother of God and Christ Child touch, and the Child embraces her closely. The composition expresses the nearness of Christ to humanity and the compassionate intercession of the Theotokos.
A distinctive sign of the Vladimir image is the visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s left foot. This small but important detail points to the real human nature of Christ, who took flesh and entered the world for our salvation.
Prayer Before the Vladimir Mother of God
Before this icon, Orthodox Christians pray for peace, protection from danger, reconciliation in families, and the softening of hardened hearts. Parents pray for children, for their health, guidance, education, and protection from harmful influences.
The Vladimir icon is also approached before marriage, travel, moving, building a new home, medical treatment, or other serious life events. In a family prayer corner, it becomes a steady place of thanksgiving, repentance, and hope.
Smooth Gold Background and Red Ornament
The main visual feature of this icon is the smooth polished gold background. The gold field is made with 960 gold leaf and is left calm and even, without complex chased relief. This gives the image a clear, ancient, and solemn character.
Instead of heavy decoration, the icon is framed by elegant red-and-gold plant ornaments in the corners. The red inscriptions, halo outlines, and border lines bring the composition together and strengthen its canonical graphic rhythm.
Color and Iconographic Balance
The garments of the Mother of God are painted in soft olive-gold and warm brown tones, while the Christ Child’s garment is rendered in warm rose-coral shades with a green belt. The restrained color palette supports the quiet dignity of the image.
The absence of excessive decoration keeps attention on the holy faces, the gesture of embrace, and the theological meaning of the Eleusa composition. The result is a solemn family icon with a strong sense of inner stillness.
Icon Characteristics
| Name | Vladimir Icon of Blessed Mother |
| Icon type | Vladimir Mother of God, Eleusa or Tenderness type |
| Iconographic feature | Cheek-to-cheek embrace of the Theotokos and Christ Child; visible bare sole of the Child’s foot |
| Listed size | 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) |
| Board | Linden board with kovcheg, linen, chalk gesso, and inserted oak splines |
| Painting | Hand-painted egg tempera with mineral pigments |
| Gilding | Smooth polished 960 gold leaf background and margins |
| Decoration | Red canonical inscriptions, red border lines, and red-and-gold ornamental corners |
| Purpose | Home iconostasis, family prayer corner, wedding gift, anniversary, or house blessing |
| Estimated creation time | About 4 to 6 weeks |
Materials and Traditional Technique
The icon is painted on a prepared linden board with a recessed kovcheg. Linen is applied to the board, followed by many layers of natural chalk gesso. Inserted oak splines help protect the wooden panel from warping as humidity changes.
The faces and garments are painted in egg tempera with mineral pigments. The gold background is made with 960 gold leaf, whose meaning in Orthodox iconography is not earthly luxury but divine, uncreated light.
Size and Placement
The listed size is 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). This medium format gives enough space for the holy faces, the smooth gold field, the red inscriptions, and the corner ornament to be seen clearly in a home iconostasis or family prayer room.
The icon may also be placed in a glazed wooden icon case, especially if it will become a family heirloom or a wedding gift intended to be preserved for many years.
A Wedding and Family Icon
The Vladimir Mother of God is one of the most fitting icons for Orthodox family prayer. Its theme of love, mercy, trust, and spiritual protection makes it a meaningful choice for a wedding, anniversary, house blessing, or parental blessing.
As a wedding icon, it is often paired with an icon of Christ, forming a devotional set for the new family’s prayer life.
Care and Preservation
Smooth gold leaf is delicate and should not be touched, rubbed, polished, washed, or cleaned with household products. Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush.
To preserve the gilding, tempera painting, and wooden board, keep the icon away from direct sunlight, dampness, smoke, and sudden temperature changes.
Ordering, Shipping, and Payment
The listed size is 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in). Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
Questions and Answers
What is the Vladimir Icon of Blessed Mother?
It is the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God, an Eleusa or Tenderness image showing the Theotokos and Christ Child in a close embrace.
What makes the Vladimir icon recognizable?
The visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s left foot is one of the most recognizable details of the Vladimir icon.
What does the Eleusa composition mean?
Eleusa means Tenderness. The cheek-to-cheek embrace expresses love, compassion, and the mystery of Christ’s true Incarnation.
What do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?
They pray for peace, protection, family harmony, the softening of hearts, help with children, healing, and guidance before important decisions.
What is distinctive about this version?
This version has a smooth polished 960 gold leaf background, red canonical inscriptions, and delicate red-and-gold ornamental corners.
Does this icon have chased gold decoration?
No. The artistic emphasis is on the calm smooth gold field, the expressive holy faces, and the balanced canonical composition.
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 is the listed size?
The listed size is 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), a strong medium format for a home iconostasis, wedding gift, or family prayer corner.
Can this icon be given as a wedding gift?
Yes. The Vladimir Mother of God is often chosen as a wedding and family icon, especially in a pair with an icon of Christ.
How are shipping and payment arranged?
Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
| Name | Mary |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 27x31cm (10.6×12.2 in) |
