Our Lady of Korsun; Tender Mercies

 

   Original icon on board: Personal Collection, Plant City, FL

      

Reproductions:      Available

Subject:     Mother of God holding Infant Jesus, touching cheeks

Size:  9 x 12 inches

Media:  Acrylic Gouache with crystals and engraving

Gold:  23.5 K Gold leaf (includes shell gold on garment)

Style:  Russian (with Baroque and Yaroslavl School influences)

 

Description

"Mother of God: Tender Mercies".  An original acrylic gouache icon done by the hand of Rebecca LaChance.  This painting uses the bright colors and heavy ornamentation seen in icons from the Yaroslavl School in Russia.  The handwork involved in the original icon includes the use of engraving in the band of Mary's veil. German-cut crystals are set into engraved wells and the painted green "jewels" in the veil are also set into engraved wells.  The shell gold used for the ornamentation was made by grinding the gold by hand for over 2 hours.

The limited edition giclée are printed on matte canvas allowing this icon to burst with the beauty of the colors and the reflections of the German-cut crystals on the original icon. Overall, the effect is one of a priceless work of religious art.

The icon story

According to legend, this icon was first painted by St. Luke the Apostle.  There are several miracle-working copies of this icon; one painted in the year 903 and another copy, placed in a silver icon case, was made in 1590.

This icon is belongs to the class of “Tender Mercies” icons because both Mary and the infant Jesus are touching cheeks.  She strokes the Child’s face, he grasps her shoulder.

The symbols included in this icon include the star of Annunciation found at the crown of Mary’s veil.  Usually, the star is seen in conjunction with 2 other stars – one on each shoulder which represents the Holy Trinity.  However, in this particular icon, the folds of her veil and the placement of the Child’s hand and head obscure the other two stars from sight.  The Child holds a scroll in his hand, symbolizing that He is “The Word”. 

Each head is surrounded by a halo indicating sanctity. The Child’s halo includes a cross and the Greek letters omega, omicron, and nu, spelling “HO ON”. In English, this becomes “Who Am” the name used for God in Exodus 3:14. Only the “O” is visible in this rendition. Each halo is outlined in red – a sign of the life shared between God and mankind.

The primary beauty of this icon is the message of Tender Mercy conveyed between Mother and Child.  The viewer of the icon can contemplate the depth in the meanings of the Mother/Child bond and the depth of the Tender Mercies we give and we receive.

The value and purpose of an icon

The value of an icon lies not in its being beautiful in itself, in its appearance as a beautiful object, but in the fact that it depicts Beauty - the Beauty of the acquired likeness of God.

The task of an icon is not to provoke human emotion but to guide all the faculties of human nature toward its own transfiguration.

The author and this icon

It took me five months to paint this icon.  I started the icon as an experiment in using the various extravagant techniques often seen in Yaroslavl School icons.  This icon served as a patient instructor to me, demanding both precision and surrender to produce the final icon.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

I feel the purchase of an icon is a spiritual decision for the buyer. It is extremely important to me that all icons arrive in pristine condition and the buyer is supremely satisfied.  Thus, satisfaction is guaranteed on all icon purchases.  No questions asked - just return the icon in original packing within 7 days of purchase and your money will be refunded (less shipping). Buy with confidence!

 

 

Our Lady of Korsun Print:     $13.95