Agiosoritissa
ThePanagia AgiosoritissaorHagiosoritissa(Greek: Ἁγιοσορίτισσα) is the name for a type ofMarian icon,showing Mary without child, slightly from the side with both hands raised in prayer. The type is known in Latin asMaria Advocata.
Names
[edit]The names used for the icon,Hagiosoritissaand, in Russian,Khalkopratiskaya(Халкопратийская), derive from the church of the Holy Urn (Greek: Ἁγία Σορός, in reference to the urn containing theCincture of the Theotokos) inConstantinople'sChalkoprateia(Χαλκοπρατεῖα, "copper market" ) district.[citation needed]
In English, the type is also known asMadonna Advocate(the prayer gesture interpreted as an act ofintercessionon behalf of the faithful).
History
[edit]The appellation Ἁγιοσορίτισσα is first recorded in Byzantine seals of the 11th century, and it appears minted on coins made underManuel I Komnenos(r. 1143–1180).
The type was widespread in the Byzantine empire and in the Balkans, but less so in Russia.
Examples
[edit]Such an icon is known to have been in theHagios Demetriosbasilica inThessalonicain the 6th century, but was lost in theByzantine Iconoclasm.
An early Byzantine icon (7th century?) is preserved in the church of Santa Maria del Rosario on theMonte Mario,Rome.[1]
TheMadonna di sant'Alessioin theBasilica of the Saints Bonifacio and Alexison theAventine Hillin Rome is also of the type.
An early Russian example is theTheotokos of Bogolyubovo(12th century). The church ofSanta Maria in Via Latain Rome has a 13th-century icon of this type.
The treasury of theBasilica of Our Lady, Maastrichthas an 11th centuryenameldecorated plaque intended for areliquary,that depicts an image of thePanagia Agiosoritissa.The high-quality enamel work is very colorful in shades of blue, green, red, yellow, and white accented by meticulously shaped goldcloisonpatterns. The piece was made in a fine imperial workshop that was located in Constantinople. Mary's facial features are accentuated with gold cloison outlines. She is shown wearing a dark bluemaphorion,with her hands clasped in prayer and her face turned towards Jesus.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^formerly in S. Agata inTrastevere,moved toSan Sisto Vecchioand hence also known as "Madonna of San Sisto", and finally to Santa Maria del Rosario in 1931.[citation needed]
- ^Wrapson, Lucy J; Folda, Jaroslav (28 July 2015).Byzantine Art and Italian Panel Painting: The Virgin and Child Hodegetria and the Art of Chrysography.ISBN9781107010239.
Sources
[edit]
- O. E. Etingof,Агиосоритисса,Православная энциклопедияvol. 1 (2000), p. 254.(in Russian)
- David Lathoud, "Le sanctuaire de la Vierge des Chalcopratia",Échos d'Orient23 (1924), 36–62.
- Tommaso Bertelè, "La Vergine aghiosoritissa nella numismatica bizantina",Revue des études byzantines16 (1958), 233f.
- M. Andaloro, "Note sui temi iconografici della Deesis e dell'Hagiosoritissa",Riv. dell'Istituto Nazionale di Archeologia e Storia dell'Arte17 (1970), 85–130.
