Artwork
Kazanin Jumalanäiti, venäläinen ikoni

Kazanin Jumalanäiti, venäläinen ikoni is an unspecified painting by the Russian Icon artist tekijä ei tiedossa. It is held in the collection of the Finnish National Gallery. The work is a Russian Orthodox icon depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus.
About this work
Overview
The work is a Russian Orthodox icon depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus. Both figures are surrounded by gold halos, and their expressions are composed and solemn. The composition is set against a vivid red background, a common chromatic choice for devotional images of this period.
Subject & Meaning
The icon presents the Theotokos, a central figure in Eastern Christian veneration, emphasizing her role as the mother of Christ. The calm demeanor of the figures underscores theological themes of divine serenity and the incarnation, inviting contemplation of the sacred bond between mother and child.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera on a wooden panel, the painting employs fast‑drying pigments that limit post‑application revisions, resulting in precise, crisp detailing. The halos are applied in relief using gold leaf, creating a tactile, luminous effect that enhances the spiritual aura of the figures.
History & Provenance
The icon has survived for several centuries, attesting to the durability of its materials and the care of its custodians. It is presently part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed alongside other examples of Russian religious art.
Artist & collection
Artist
This unknown artist left behind work that feels like a hushed conversation in a candlelit chapel.









