Mary cradling the infant Christ, Greek text in the field with inscription 'ΜΡ ΘΥ' for 'Mother of God' flanking the Virgin's halo, 'IC XC' for 'Jesus Christ' over the Child's head; to the right a Greek inscription 'ΟΔΙΓΗΤΡΙΑ' (Odighitria); some restoration; a handwritten inscription and a cross to the reverse in Greek, reading 'Eufemia Papadimitriou - born on March, 30, 1932, on Thursday, at the 5.00 p.m.; Vasilios Papadimitriou - born on March, 15, 1934, on Thursday, at the 3.00 p.m.'

PROVENANCE:
Ex French gallery, Paris.

LITERATURE:
Cf. Łaptaś, M., Jakobielski, S., ‘I Gave Milk to Him While He Was Feeding All the World. Representations of the Galaktotrophousa in Faras Cathedral,’ in Stefan, M. (ed.), Nubia Christiana, II, Warszawa, 2020, pp.43-63, figs.2, 6, for ancient iconography of the subject.

FOOTNOTES:
The icon belongs to the category of Virgin 'Galaktotrophousa' (Γαλακτοτροφουσα, meaning “the Milk-Giver”) celebrated on third July, and showing Mary breast-feeding Jesus. The ancient typology dates from the 6th century A.D. and resided in St. Sabbas’ lavra (a type of monastic community).