Our Lady of Tychwin - icon

tempera on wood; 35 x 31 x 3 cm.
Russia, ca. 1820.
Condition: numerous chips in the paint on the lower edge of the panel.
At the center of the composition is an image of Our Lady of Tikhvin depicted in the canonical Hodegetria (Guide) type. The Mother of God is depicted in a half-length pose, with her head gently tilted toward the Infant. With her right hand, she points to Christ in a gesture of presentation, while the infant Jesus rests on her left shoulder. Christ Emmanuel, depicted in a light pink, yellowish-brown tunic, raises his right hand in a gesture of blessing, while holding a scroll in his left hand. A distinctive feature of the Teżwin variant is the positioning of the Infant’s legs—the left leg is crossed over the right in such a way that the sole of the right foot faces the viewer directly.
Four standing figures of selected saints are arranged symmetrically in the side panels. On the left side: at the top—the Guardian Angel; at the bottom—probably Saint Nikita the Martyr (Nikita the Gothic). On the right side: at the top—Saint Simeon (the Elder Simeon); at the bottom—a holy monk (Saint Evdokim the Monk or Saint Onuphrius?).