Vladimir Virgin Mary Orthodox Icon
Price range: $700 through $2250
Vladimir Virgin Mary Orthodox Icon is a hand-painted Vladimir Mother of God icon in the Eleusa type, with Christ Child touching cheek to cheek with the Theotokos and the Child’s bare foot visible.
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). Egg tempera on linden board, 960 gold leaf, and hand-chased plant ornament. Free international shipping, with payment after delivery.
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Vladimir Virgin Mary Orthodox 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 Christ Child presses His cheek to His Mother and embraces her with love.
This version is made with a hand-chased gold background and plant ornament. Egg tempera painting, 960 gold leaf, and traditional work on a prepared wooden board give the icon a solemn, luminous, and prayerful character.
Meaning of the Vladimir Virgin Mary Orthodox Icon
The Vladimir icon of the Mother of God has long been associated with prayer for peace, protection, family unity, healing, and spiritual consolation. Orthodox Christians turn to this image in times of sorrow, danger, illness, conflict, and important life decisions.
The image is deeply personal. The Child reaches toward His Mother, and the Theotokos inclines toward Him with tenderness and hidden sorrow. Her gaze meets the person praying, carrying maternal compassion and the foreknowledge of Christ’s Passion.
Eleusa: The Tenderness Type
Eleusa means Tenderness. In this iconographic type, the Mother of God and Christ Child are shown in intimate contact, cheek to cheek. The gesture expresses divine love, the mystery of the Incarnation, and the compassionate intercession of the Theotokos.
The visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s foot is a recognizable feature of the Vladimir image. It points to the reality of Christ’s human nature: the Son of God truly became man for the salvation of the world.
History and Veneration
According to Orthodox tradition, the first image of the Mother of God was connected with the Apostle Luke and was blessed by the Theotokos herself. The Vladimir icon later became one of the most important and beloved icons in the Orthodox world.
Its veneration is connected with prayer for deliverance, peace, protection, and the spiritual strengthening of the faithful. For many Orthodox families, a hand-painted Vladimir icon becomes a central image in the home iconostasis.
Chased Gold Background
The main artistic feature of this icon is the chased gold background. Before the gold is applied, the ornament is worked by hand into the prepared gesso. After gilding with 960 gold leaf, the relief pattern catches the light and gives the icon a festive, luminous depth.
The plant ornament, with floral and acanthus-like forms, recalls the heavenly garden and the Paradise imagery of Orthodox sacred art. It enriches the image without taking attention away from the holy faces.
Mstyora Icon Painting Tradition
The icon is painted in the tradition of the Mstyora school, known for careful drawing, refined color, and patient work with detail. The image is made as a hand-painted icon, not as a printed reproduction or decorative panel.
The faces, garments, gold, and ornament are all part of a single prayerful composition. The goal is not external luxury alone, but a sacred image suitable for veneration, family prayer, and long-term preservation.
Icon Characteristics
| Name | Vladimir Virgin Mary Orthodox Icon |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| Board | Linden board with linen, chalk gesso, and inserted wooden splines |
| Painting | Hand-painted egg tempera with natural mineral pigments |
| Gilding | 960 gold leaf |
| Decoration | Hand-chased plant ornament on the gold background |
| Style | Traditional Orthodox icon painting in the Mstyora school |
| Purpose | Home iconostasis, family prayer corner, wedding blessing, house blessing, or heirloom gift |
Materials and Technique
The icon is painted on a linden board strengthened with inserted wooden splines. Linen is applied to the board, then the surface is prepared with multiple layers of chalk gesso. This traditional foundation helps protect the icon and supports the gold and tempera layers.
The painting is made with egg tempera on egg yolk and natural mineral pigments. The chased background is gilded with 960 gold leaf and protected with a final varnish suitable for long-term preservation.
Prayer and Family Use
Before the Vladimir Mother of God, the faithful pray for peace in the home, the protection of children, healing, help in sorrow, and wisdom in choosing the right path. The icon is also suitable for prayer for the protection of a home and family.
It is a meaningful choice for a wedding blessing, new home, baptism gift, anniversary, or a family icon intended to be passed down through generations.
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). The larger formats give more space to the holy faces and the hand-chased gold ornament.
For a central home icon or wedding gift, 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) are especially expressive.
Care and Preservation
An icon with gold leaf and chased ornament should be kept away from dampness, direct sunlight, smoke, and sudden temperature changes. The surface should not be washed, polished, or wiped with a wet cloth.
Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush. A glazed wooden icon case is recommended if the icon will be kept as a family heirloom.
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 Virgin Mary Orthodox 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 does Eleusa mean?
Eleusa means Tenderness. The Mother of God and Christ Child are shown cheek to cheek in a close embrace of love and compassion.
What makes the Vladimir icon recognizable?
The visible bare sole of the Christ Child’s foot is a distinctive detail of the Vladimir iconographic type.
What is special about this version?
This version has a hand-chased gold background with plant ornament, painted in the tradition of the Mstyora icon school.
What does the chased gold background symbolize?
The gold background symbolizes divine light, while the plant ornament evokes the heavenly garden and the royal dignity of the Theotokos.
What do Orthodox Christians pray for before this icon?
They pray for peace, protection of the family, help with children, healing, consolation in sorrow, and guidance in 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).
Can this icon be used as a wedding icon?
Yes. The Vladimir Mother of God is a traditional and meaningful icon for a wedding blessing, often paired with an icon of Christ.
How should an icon with chased gold be cared for?
It should not be washed, polished, or wiped with a damp cloth. Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush.
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) |
|---|---|
| Name | Mary |
