The artwork titled “Hodegitria,” created by an anonymous artist from the Orthodox Icons group around c.1350, is an exemplar of the Late Byzantine/Palaeologan Renaissance art movement, which flourished between c.1261 and 1453. This religious icon falls within the genre of iconography and belongs to the series dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. The artwork is currently housed in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork, characteristic of Byzantine iconography, depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child. Despite its weathered condition, the intricate detailing and the profound sense of solemnity and piety are still evident. The Virgin Mary is garbed in deep, earth-toned vestments, with stylistic touches that highlight her contour and the sacred halo that encircles her head, signifying her divine status. The Christ Child, seated on her left arm, is portrayed in a regal yet tender demeanor. Both figures are set against a muted, golden background, which has considerably worn away over time, yet it continues to evoke the ethereal and timeless nature of the divine subjects. The inscriptions and symbols, though partially eroded, reflect the traditional artistic expressions of the Byzantine era.
