Lot number 374 - Auction 147
GROSSFORMATIGE UND FEINE IKONE MIT DER MADRE DELLA CONSOLAZIONE

NIKOLAOS TZAFOURIS circa 1455 Candia/Crete - 1501 (attributed) A LARGE AND FINE ICON SHOWING THE MADRE DELLA CONSOLAZIONE Veneto-Cretan, circa 1500 Tempera on a wood panel. Executed on a gold ground. The Mother of God depicted half-length wearing a blue tunic and a purple maphorion fastened at the chest with a transparent white veil draped over her hair. The orange mantle of Christ decorated with fine gold lines and the hems of the mantle of the Mother of God decorated with refined pseudo-Kufic motifs. The Mother of God holding Christ on her right arm, whilst resting her left hand lovingly on his legs, Christ holding a globe in one hand and making a sign of blessing with the other. Minor areas of retouching. 47.2 x 38.5 cm / 73.2 x 65 cm (with frame). The iconography of the Madre della Consolazione is of Western origin and has clearly been influenced by Italian prototypes of the 14th century. The icon's Italian title refers to the suffering of Christ, as anticipated by his mother. It has been suggested that the model was introduced to the Orthodox Christian world by the famous icon painter Nikolaos Tzafouris.