The Intercession 1741

"The Intercession" was painted by Orthodox Icons, sometime after 330, to be used in places such as the National Art Museum of Ukraine. The scene depicts a religious procession inside a church, with clergy, royalty, and other figures gathered around a central icon. The work uses visual codes and historical associations to convey its message, which is about the power of intercession within the Orthodox Christian faith. Given the history of Ukraine and the Orthodox Church, it's quite possible that this painting was made during a time of political or social upheaval and thus meant to reassure the faithful of divine protection and guidance. The institutional histories of Orthodoxy are long and complex, with close ties to political power in many places and times. Understanding the social context of this painting requires a careful reading of Ukrainian history, and in particular the political role of religious institutions. That kind of research reveals the full social meaning of works like this one.