The artwork “Virgin with Apostles and Saints,” created around c.1350 by “Orthodox Icons,” is an exemplary piece from the Late Byzantine or Palaeologan Renaissance art movement, which spans from approximately 1261 to 1453. This icon falls within the genre of iconographic representations of the Virgin Mary, also known as Mother of God, and is part of a series depicting her in varying contexts with Apostles and Saints.
The artwork portrays the Virgin Mary in a central and elevated position, distinguished by her solemn and serene facial expression. The child, likely Jesus, is cradled in her arms. Surrounding the two central figures are depictions of apostles and saints, characterized by their own distinct features and postures. These figures are shown on both sides of the Virgin and Child, adding to the sanctity and reverence of the piece. The use of a gilded background is typical of Byzantine icons, symbolizing divine light and the holy nature of the scene. The artwork, despite some evident wear and cracking due to its antiquity, remains a powerful representation of religious devotion and intricate artistry of the Palaeologan Renaissance period.
