4 juin 1161 - Double-sided icon Virgin and Child Man of Sorrows

Description:

12th century
Mount Sinai

encaustic icon evokes concept of living images inviting the viewer into interaction and communicating with each other

Hodegetria: Virgin who shows the Way, Christ; her expression shows emotion as if she has foreknowledge of the scene on the reverse

Man of Sorrows: hold antithetical realities simultaneously alive and dead, crucified yet off of cross, humiliation and glory

terms: hodegetria, Miracle at Blachernae