Vladimir Icon of GodMother
Price range: $350 through $1400
Vladimir Icon of GodMother is a hand-painted Vladimir Mother of God icon in the Eleusa type, with cheek-to-cheek tenderness, the visible bare foot of Christ, and a strict canonical style.
Available sizes: 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). Full 960 gold leaf with hand-tooled geometric Byzantine interlace and radiant halo rays. Free international shipping, with payment after delivery.
It is possible to paint an image in any size to order
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Vladimir Icon of GodMother is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Vladimir Mother of God, one of the most venerated images of the Theotokos. This icon belongs to the Eleusa, or Tenderness, type, where the Mother of God and the Christ Child press their cheeks together in a close and loving embrace.
This version is distinguished by strict canonical painting and a full 960 gold leaf surface worked with geometric Byzantine interlace. The dark maforion of the Mother of God, the deep faces, the radiant halos, and the tooled gold create a strong contrast between spiritual tenderness and solemn sacred majesty.
Meaning of the Vladimir Icon of GodMother
The Vladimir icon is cherished in Orthodox prayer as an image of protection, intercession, and the compassionate nearness of the Mother of God. For centuries, Christians have prayed before this image for peace, family unity, healing, protection from danger, and help in difficult decisions.
The icon does not present Christ as distant from humanity. The Child embraces His Mother, and she receives Him with love and sorrow. This tender contact reveals the mystery of the Incarnation and the loving union between God and the human soul.
Eleusa: Tenderness and Sorrow
The Eleusa type is among the most intimate forms of Orthodox iconography. The Mother of God and the Christ Child touch cheek to cheek. The Child’s hand embraces His Mother, while her gaze is turned outward toward the faithful.
The expression of the Theotokos is not simple sadness. It carries love, compassion, and the foreknowledge of the Passion of Christ. The visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s left foot is the clearest identifying detail of the Vladimir icon and points to His real human nature.
Prayer Before the Vladimir Mother of God
Before this icon, people pray for the preservation of peace, protection from enemies, reconciliation in families, and the softening of hardened hearts. Parents pray for children, their health, their education, and their protection from harmful influences.
The icon is also approached before important decisions, marriage, travel, moving, or the beginning of a new stage in life. As a home icon, it becomes a spiritual support for the family and a reminder of love, repentance, and trust in God.
Geometric Byzantine Interlace on Gold
The main artistic feature of this icon is the full hand-tooled gold surface. The background and wide margins are covered with 960 gold leaf, then worked by hand with a strict geometric interlace pattern. Unlike floral ornament, this design gives the icon an ancient, graphic, and monumental character.
The interlace pattern suggests continuity, eternity, and the unbroken spiritual bond between God and humanity. In lamplight, the relief catches many small reflections while preserving a disciplined and solemn visual rhythm.
Radiant Halos and Strict Garments
The halos of the Mother of God and Christ are set apart by radiant tooled rays, symbolizing the shining of divine light. The dark chocolate-burgundy maforion of the Mother of God makes her face appear especially luminous and concentrated.
The garment edges are painted with fine ornament that imitates jeweled and pearl embroidery. The overall style is restrained and canonical, so the rich gold work supports the sacred image rather than overwhelming it.
Icon Characteristics
| Name | Vladimir Icon of GodMother |
| 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 |
| Board | Linden board with linen cloth, chalk gesso, and oak splines |
| Painting | Hand-painted egg tempera in strict canonical style |
| Gilding | Full 960 gold leaf on the background and margins |
| Gold decoration | Hand-tooled geometric Byzantine interlace over the gold |
| Halos | Radiant hand-tooled rays in the halos |
| Available sizes | 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) |
| Estimated creation time | About 4 to 7 weeks because of the full hand-tooled gold work |
Materials and Technique
The icon is made on a linden board with oak splines on the back. Linen cloth is applied to the board, followed by multiple layers of chalk gesso, which are polished before gilding and painting.
The full gold field is created with 960 gold leaf. The geometric interlace and halo rays are tooled by hand. The holy faces and garments are painted in egg tempera with mineral pigments, a traditional technique known for depth, durability, and spiritual sobriety.
A Wedding and Family Icon
The Vladimir Mother of God is a traditional and deeply meaningful choice for an Orthodox wedding icon. It is often paired with Christ Pantocrator as the icon from the bride’s side.
As a family icon, it is suitable for prayer for marriage, children, reconciliation, house blessing, and the spiritual protection of the home. It may also be given for a wedding, anniversary, or the birth of a child.
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 the geometric interlace covers the whole gold surface, the 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) sizes show the relief most fully.
Care and Preservation
Icons with full gold leaf and hand-tooled relief should not be wiped with wet cloths, washed, polished, or cleaned with household products. The gold layer is delicate, and the relief should be handled with care.
Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush. A glazed wooden icon case is strongly recommended to preserve the gilding, relief, tempera painting, and wooden board for many years.
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 Vladimir Icon of GodMother?
It is the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God, a revered Eleusa or Tenderness image of the Theotokos and Christ Child.
What is the Eleusa iconographic type?
Eleusa means Tenderness; the Mother of God and Christ Child are shown cheek to cheek in a close, loving embrace.
What makes the Vladimir icon recognizable?
The visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s left foot is the most recognizable detail of the Vladimir image.
What is distinctive about this version?
The whole gold surface is decorated with strict geometric Byzantine interlace, and the halos have radiant tooled rays.
What does the interlace ornament mean?
The continuous interlace suggests eternity, spiritual unity, and the unbroken bond between God and humanity.
What do people pray for before the Vladimir Mother of God?
They pray for peace, family harmony, protection, reconciliation, help with children, healing, and guidance before important decisions.
What materials are used?
The icon is painted on a linden board with oak splines, linen cloth, chalk gesso, egg tempera, and 960 gold leaf.
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).
Can this icon be given for a wedding?
Yes. The Vladimir Mother of God is a traditional Orthodox wedding icon and a meaningful family blessing.
How are shipping and payment arranged?
Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
| Dimensions | 17x21cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20x24cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27x31cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30x40cm (11.8×15.7 in) |
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| Name | Mary |
