Description

The Mother of God of Vladimir is an icon of the Eleousa (‘of Tenderness’) type. Characteristic of the composition is the close embrace between mother and child, with the child’s arm wrapped around its mother and the resignations of mother and child touching. The child shows us his heel – a reference to his future suffering.
The expression of the faces of mother and child is tender and sad at the same time. The child seeks comfort and protection from his mother, who can still hold him now. The mother knows she can comfort her child now, but cannot protect him from his future fate.