Madonna and Child Enthroned (Diptych, Left part) 1280

This 13th-century Orthodox icon, "Madonna and Child Enthroned (Diptych, Left part)," depicts the Virgin Mary and Christ Child seated on a throne with two angels flanking them. The icon exemplifies the Byzantine style of iconography with its simplified forms and emphasis on symbolic representation. The stylized figures and gold backgrounds create a sense of spiritual transcendence, showcasing the sacredness of the subject matter. The icon, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, served as a devotional object for both public and private worship.