The Mother of God of Passion

religious

The icon with the motif "Mother of God of the Passion" was extraordinarily popular in the Cretan icon-painting of the late 15th and the 16th century, and is venerated both by Orthodox and by Catholic Christians. This type takes its name "Mother of God of the Passion" from the fact that the Christ-child, sitting on the left arm of His mother, is turning towards the Archangel Gabriel, who is depicted floating in from the right holding out a Cross. From the other side the Archangel Michael approaches, holding further symbols of the Passion, the Spear and the Holy Sponge.

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About the Artist

Andreas Ritzos

1422 – 1492

Greek icon painter, born in Heraklion on the island of Crete, the son of a goldsmith. He is considered the greatest Cretan painter of the second half of the 15th century. His works provided models for subsequent generations of icon painters. Basically he worked in the Byzantine style, but he was influenced by other styles, too, including the Italian style of painting of the 14th century. He is mentioned in documents until the year 1492. His son, Nikolaos (1446-1503) was also an icon painter.

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