0211 The Virgin of Shuya

Russian,
18th cent. 30.5×26.5×3.5 cms

The Virgin of Shuya is one of the least common representations of around the 300 distinct representations known to exist. The image is easily recognised by the raised right leg of the Christ Child. The miraculous attributes of this image were held to be decisive in the relief of plague in Shuya in 1654. This intrusion being recognised as “miraculous in 1667.

This particular icon was the result of a special commission with two saints, special to the commissioner, being represented in the margins. One can be identified as St. Sergius of Radonezh. The other cannot.