Virgin Hodegetria (front side) 1300

This 13th-century Orthodox icon, "Virgin Hodegetria," is a prime example of Byzantine art. The image depicts Mary holding the Christ child, a common theme in religious art. The icon's style is characterized by the figures' stylized, frontal poses and the use of gold leaf for the backgrounds. The Hodegetria ("She Who Shows the Way") is a significant figure in the Eastern Orthodox Church. This particular icon, currently housed in the Byzantine and Christian Museum of Athens, exhibits a worn and weathered surface, a testament to its age and history.