Our Lady of the Sign (from Tsarevna Sofia's tomb ikonostasis) 1675

This is Our Lady of the Sign, likely crafted for an ikonostasis, a symbol-laden screen in Orthodox churches. Dominating the composition is Mary, or more precisely, the Theotokos—God-bearer—arms raised in orans, a gesture of prayer and intercession, with the Christ Child depicted within her. This specific depiction—Mary as the vessel of God—echoes across cultures, like the Egyptian goddess Isis cradling Horus. Here, however, the pearl-studded medallion enclosing Christ is a visual signifier of her purity, the immaculate conception. We see this motif resurface in Renaissance art, like Botticelli's Madonnas, but the Russian Orthodox iteration remains distinct. It's a profound echo of ancient hopes, the cyclical return to a protective maternal figure, engaging us emotionally, tapping into our primal need for comfort and security. The gesture of supplication transcends time, reminding us of our shared vulnerability.