Description

This celebrated panel, known as the Kahn Madonna, draws its spiritual and formal authority from the Hodegetria—the "She Who Shows the Way"—one of the most venerable iconographic types in the Orthodox tradition. In this sacred arrangement, the Virgin’s gesture directs the faithful toward the Christ Child as the sole source of salvation. Her regal status is signaled by the imperial throne and scarlet shoes, marking her as the Queen of Heaven, while flanking archangels in celestial roundels bear the regalia of the Byzantine court. This composition evokes the miraculous original icon of the Hodegon Monastery in Constantinople, which was processed through the capital every Tuesday to heal the sick and lead imperial armies to victory.

The painting’s origin remains a subject of scholarly debate, often studied alongside the National Gallery’s Madonna and Child on a Curved Throne. Its stylistic lineage is deeply rooted in the Byzantine capital; the delicate modeling of the Virgin’s features and her compassionate gaze find a direct parallel in the monumental mosaics of Hagia Sophia. Such works exemplify the Byzantine "Grand Manner," where the physical world recedes in favor of a spiritualized reality. Christ is depicted not as a vulnerable infant but as a "miniature adult," a visual metaphor for his eternal wisdom and divine nature.

The influence of this aesthetic profoundly shaped the evolution of 13th and 14th-century Italian art. By employing gold striations to define the rhythm of the drapery and placing figures against a background of unearthly gold, the artist emphasizes the weightless, eternal nature of Paradise. The elongated proportions and stylized geometry of the figures serve to transport the viewer beyond the material realm, offering a window into the divine through the disciplined traditions of the Byzantine masters.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted Orthodox Christian icon reproductions made in the United States with prayer and a desire for excellence. Each of our icons are printed on museum-quality matte canvas, providing a rich print with saturated coloration that lends to a beautiful handwritten-icon appearance.

All Theophany Works Icons are mounted on beveled wooden boards and finished with a high-quality UV protection sealant. This offers a subtle authentic-feeling texture while also enhancing durability, allowing for cleaning with a damp cloth. Additionally, each icon is given a maple-shelled keyhole slot on its back for easy and balanced hanging.

Our beautiful icon reproductions are lovingly made in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania studio. We pray they are a blessing to all who receive them, and we believe they will be a beloved addition to any home or parish—each at a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted icon.

***Our Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ: Please allow 3 weeks for production as each icon is made to order. If an icon is needed sooner for a baptism, chrismation, wedding, or name day, please contact us—we will always do our very best to accommodate your request.

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