UNKNOWN ICON PAINTER, Greek
(15th century)

Intercession of the Virgin

15th century
Egg tempera on gessoed panel, 74 x 51 cm
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg

The intercession of the Virgin on behalf of humankind is symbolized by a veil that she spread over worshippers in a vision that took place in a Constantinople church in 910, when Byzantium was under threat from the Saracens. The vision was witnessed by the holy fool Andrew. He and his young companion Epiphanius are among the saints depicted in the icon.