LOT 0379

Veneto-Cretan Icon of Marcia Lactans with St Rock

17TH CENTURY A.D.

12 3/4 x 10 7/8 in. (857 grams, 32.5 x 27.5 cm).

Executed in oil and tempera on a slightly curved wooden panel base depicting the Theotokos (Mother of God), the infant Jesus and Saint Rock on a natural background; Mary with head bowed left wearing a red maphorion mantle over a dark blue robe, with elaborate golden saltires on the shoulders and head of the mantle, fine gold brocade to the hem of the blue robe, nursing the child; the infant Jesus facing away to left, supported on Mary's right arm and dressed in gold tunic, wrapped in a red shawl with gold highlights to folds, both hands holding the mother’s breast; the long-haired Saint Rock covered in a black tabarrino marked with his attributes, the red cross, the pilgrim's staff, the scallop shell and the keys, holds his walking stick in his hand; trees and mountain profiles in the background; gilded wooden frame surrounded by a blue indigo border with gold arabesques; from the Veneto-Cretan guild.

Acquired on the European art market.
Private collection, London, UK.

Accompanied by an academic report by Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no. 13065-249292.

Korban, H.K., Icons from the Orthodox World, London, 2013, pp.76-77.

Cf. a similar icon in Rosciano, Code of National Catalogue 1300094502, Soprintendenza per i beni storici ed artistici ed Etnoantropologici dell’Abruzzo.

The icon presents the type known in Greek as the Galaktotrophousa and in Russia as Mlekopitatelnitsa. Originating from the pagan iconography of Isis nursing Horus, the icon presents the Mother of God nursing the child. As is typical in traditional Orthodox iconography, conscious effort is made to remove the image from reality. That is why Mary’s breast is so oddly depicted and placed near her shoulder — an attempt to avoid any trace of sensuality.