Russian icon of the 17th century

Russian icon of the 17th century.
“The Dormition of the Virgin.”
Tempera on wood.
Measurements: 100 x 81 x 4 cm.
The 17th-century Russian icon depicts the sleeping of the Virgin Mary and her assumption into heaven by Jesus Christ. The Virgin, who has fallen asleep, is surrounded by the mourning apostles. Beyond the apostles there are also the holy bishops. Dark and somber tones prevail in the icon, but the mantle that covers the altar shows off beautiful brocades and this communicates to us that she accepts her death with serenity and joy. Jesus Christ stands above her and holds in his hands a child dressed as white as snow. This child represents the immaculate soul of the Virgin Mary, who concluded her earthly life without having any illness or feeling pain. That is why that final moment is called “dormition” or “transit” of the Virgin Mary. And so, since the 6th century, the festival of the Dormition of the Virgin began to be celebrated in the East: a way of expressing that it was a transition more similar to sleep than to death. She left this earth-as some saints affirm-in a transport of love.