The artwork “Throne of the Second Coming (back side of Theotokos of Vladimir),” created around 1150, is an Orthodox icon rendered with tempera on wood. It belongs to the Middle Byzantine period, specifically within the Komnenian style (1081-1185), and is located in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork, an icon, is characterized by its religious significance and follows the traditional stylistic conventions of Byzantine art. It features a prominent cross with horizontal and vertical bars positioned above a wooden chest crafted with great attention to detail. The chest, adorned with intricate red fabric depicting geometric and possibly floral patterns, symbolizes the sacred vessel of divine presence. The use of rich, warm hues and the gold accents are reflective of the era’s emphasis on spiritual imagery and the transcendental quality attributed to sacred artifacts within the Byzantine artistic tradition. The composition, minimalistic yet profound, eloquently conveys themes of reverence and sanctity central to Orthodox Christian theology.
