Our Lady of Smolensk (Hodegetria)

tempera on panel, 27 x 21.5 cm;
Russia, 19th / 20th century
Our Lady of Smolensk – Hodegetria type (the Way-shower).
The Virgin Mary is depicted from the waist up; with her left hand she supports the Infant Jesus, and with her right hand she raises her hand to chest level in a clear gesture pointing to her Son. This gesture symbolizes the presentation of Christ to humanity as the only path to salvation. The Child sits upright; His right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing, and in His left hand He holds a tightly rolled scroll (the Holy Scriptures / Gospel), which emphasizes His status as the Logos and Teacher.
On the left side, at the level of Mary’s shoulder, a multi-line handwritten inscription in Church Slavonic directly identifies this specific image: “The Smolensk Hodegetria Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God” (Icon of the Smolensk Hodegetria of the Most Holy)