The artwork titled “Virgin Caressed by Her Parents” was created around 1320 by the Byzantine Mosaics, an artistic collective associated with the Late Byzantine/Palaeologan Renaissance (c. 1261–1453). This religious painting, rendered in the medium of mosaic, forms part of the extensive collection in the Chora Church, located in Istanbul, Turkey.
The artwork showcases a deeply intimate and tender scene where the Virgin Mary is lovingly embraced by her parents, Saints Joachim and Anne. The delicate interplay of colors, predominantly gold and earth tones, is achieved through the meticulous arrangement of tiny pieces of glass, stones, and other materials, characteristic of Byzantine mosaics. The figures are adorned with halos, signifying their sanctity, while the rich background exudes a sense of divine light and presence. The intricate texture of the mosaic, combined with the harmonious composition, exemplifies the spiritual and artistic zenith of the Late Byzantine era.