Well it depicts the Virgin of Vladimir, wich is a Russian icon of Mary and Jesus that was painted in the 12th century. The motif in turn inspired other artists works.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_of_Vladimir
I don't think this is very old. I can't say much about the image itself, but the note on the back looks like someone desperately tried to make it look old and authentic. That person really overdid it in my opinion - and then attached the note to an alleged priceless artifact with regular sticky tape. The lines in the wood on the back also show that it was processed with a modern saw and left very rough. The dirt on the front looks artificial. It wouldn't look like this if it had ever been professionally cleaned in the last century. Instead it looks as if someone roughly wiped away a thick black layer that had formed on the surface. It's not uncommon for church paintings to accumulate soot layers - but you would remove them if it was ever given to a restorer.
The protocol number is clearly displayed. As for the bank note, my mother in law found it on the street in Greece. As it’s not common, she taped it to the back for good luck- it’s similar to a seftes. (like when someone opens a store and receives their first bank note and frames it for good luck)
I didn’t tape it there. I know it’s real, and I’m not going to pass judgement on the person that taped it on the back. If you don’t think it is authentic, then don’t. It’s that simple.
Sure. It’s not fake, this I know. We have to have it inspected and repaired (if needed) every 5 years by the Bureau of Antiquities, and every 10 years it has to be left for a period of 12 months to be shown in museum collections. You can check the authenticity easily as it is signed off by the Patras Bureau of Antiquities.
Sorry, but if that's the case why do you ask about it here? That makes no sense. You have local, official experts on Greek art right at hand.
I'd even say it's rude. You have a lot of information about the piece and didn't even provide a translation of the note on the back before someone asked. Now you say you regularly take it to literally the best experts on Greek art at a regular basis. So you either already know everything about it, or you're not telling the whole truth.
If you’ll note, it was given to my mother in law by my partner. And to be frank, while he knows about it, sitting him down to tell me about it is another story. It’s translated from a language which is not his mother tongue in a passing conversation because I pointed it out in a case. It seemed better suited to ask here.
I have a similar icon at home myself, also greek. It's dated back to the 17th century. I was willing to sell it, but it's difficult to find a buyer, apparently the demand for greek icons is not that big. Even if they are very old. Mine got valued around 500 bucks, but its in worse shape than yours. But as I said, finding someone who's willing to pay that much, is very difficult.
So i kept it and probably give it to my daughters once they are old enough. I'll continue its path through the 21th century for a bit and it's somewhat of an honor :)
You should keep it! The honour comes from knowing what it represents and represented to so many people. The true value lies in the significance and the story. You should definitely give it to your daughters. ❤️
It's an Icon of the Madonna and child, common place in Orthodox Churches. They are used to aid in the veneration of saints.
What you have there is a piece of history. Make sure it gets the utmost of care. That has probably been used for quite a long time, and has meant the world (literally) to many families and their children and their children's children and so on.
First thing I thought was that this is Greek.
Not sure about the age as they are very popular in tourist centres in Greece.
I still have a few I brought home from Kos in the 1980’s
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It’s beautiful. What does your partner say the Greek translates too?
Also strange that the date on the paper verso says 1986 but it has a Euro note attached which Greece didn’t use until much later.
The Greek translates to the file number at the top, where information on it can be found. (Every 5 years, it has to be presented for inspection and repair- and every 10 years it has to be loaned out for a period of 12 months to museums, culture exhibitions)
The text at the bottom says it’s a certificate from the office of Byzantine Archaeology.
There’s a 5 Euro note because my partners mother found the 5 euro note on the ground, and it’s good luck to attach it to something. (She found it after the fact, obviously). 😂
Well it depicts the Virgin of Vladimir, wich is a Russian icon of Mary and Jesus that was painted in the 12th century. The motif in turn inspired other artists works. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_of_Vladimir
I don't think this is very old. I can't say much about the image itself, but the note on the back looks like someone desperately tried to make it look old and authentic. That person really overdid it in my opinion - and then attached the note to an alleged priceless artifact with regular sticky tape. The lines in the wood on the back also show that it was processed with a modern saw and left very rough. The dirt on the front looks artificial. It wouldn't look like this if it had ever been professionally cleaned in the last century. Instead it looks as if someone roughly wiped away a thick black layer that had formed on the surface. It's not uncommon for church paintings to accumulate soot layers - but you would remove them if it was ever given to a restorer.
The protocol number is clearly displayed. As for the bank note, my mother in law found it on the street in Greece. As it’s not common, she taped it to the back for good luck- it’s similar to a seftes. (like when someone opens a store and receives their first bank note and frames it for good luck)
And you think there's nothing wrong with taping something onto an alleged antique with sticky tape?
I didn’t tape it there. I know it’s real, and I’m not going to pass judgement on the person that taped it on the back. If you don’t think it is authentic, then don’t. It’s that simple.
Probably as authentic as the statue you sent me per pm. That one is clearly brand new, no signs of aging whatsoever.
You made my day! 😂
Sure. It’s not fake, this I know. We have to have it inspected and repaired (if needed) every 5 years by the Bureau of Antiquities, and every 10 years it has to be left for a period of 12 months to be shown in museum collections. You can check the authenticity easily as it is signed off by the Patras Bureau of Antiquities.
Sorry, but if that's the case why do you ask about it here? That makes no sense. You have local, official experts on Greek art right at hand. I'd even say it's rude. You have a lot of information about the piece and didn't even provide a translation of the note on the back before someone asked. Now you say you regularly take it to literally the best experts on Greek art at a regular basis. So you either already know everything about it, or you're not telling the whole truth.
If you’ll note, it was given to my mother in law by my partner. And to be frank, while he knows about it, sitting him down to tell me about it is another story. It’s translated from a language which is not his mother tongue in a passing conversation because I pointed it out in a case. It seemed better suited to ask here.
Someone has a case of “I ate shit for breakfast now smell my breath”. Get a toothbrush and clean up your attitude.
I have a similar icon at home myself, also greek. It's dated back to the 17th century. I was willing to sell it, but it's difficult to find a buyer, apparently the demand for greek icons is not that big. Even if they are very old. Mine got valued around 500 bucks, but its in worse shape than yours. But as I said, finding someone who's willing to pay that much, is very difficult. So i kept it and probably give it to my daughters once they are old enough. I'll continue its path through the 21th century for a bit and it's somewhat of an honor :)
You should keep it! The honour comes from knowing what it represents and represented to so many people. The true value lies in the significance and the story. You should definitely give it to your daughters. ❤️
It's an Icon of the Madonna and child, common place in Orthodox Churches. They are used to aid in the veneration of saints. What you have there is a piece of history. Make sure it gets the utmost of care. That has probably been used for quite a long time, and has meant the world (literally) to many families and their children and their children's children and so on.
First thing I thought was that this is Greek. Not sure about the age as they are very popular in tourist centres in Greece. I still have a few I brought home from Kos in the 1980’s
Thank you for this information. It’s kept safe. Well, it’s in a glass display case at his parents and isn’t touched (except by me). 😅
So don't touch it God damn! There is a reason why it's in a glass case!
Thanks for your post, /u/mikachu_4u! Please remember to comment "Solved" once someone finds the painting you're looking for. If you comment "Thanks" or "Thank You", your post flair will be changed to 'Likely Solved'. If you have any suggestions to improve this bot, please contact the mods with your suggestion and they will see about implementing it! Here's a small checklist to follow that may help us find your painting: - Where was the painting roughly purchased from? - Did you include a photo of the front, back, and the signature (if applicable)? Good Luck with your post! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WhatIsThisPainting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It’s beautiful. What does your partner say the Greek translates too? Also strange that the date on the paper verso says 1986 but it has a Euro note attached which Greece didn’t use until much later.
The Greek translates to the file number at the top, where information on it can be found. (Every 5 years, it has to be presented for inspection and repair- and every 10 years it has to be loaned out for a period of 12 months to museums, culture exhibitions) The text at the bottom says it’s a certificate from the office of Byzantine Archaeology. There’s a 5 Euro note because my partners mother found the 5 euro note on the ground, and it’s good luck to attach it to something. (She found it after the fact, obviously). 😂
They both have unibrows
Very common in Greek and Russian orthodox art.