Our Lady of Tikhvin with 24 scenes of the Akathist

Iconography:  Akathist to the Holy Virgin, Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God

Date: XVI century.

Iconographic school/art center:  Pskov icon-painting school

Origin: From the Trinity cathedral in Pskov

Material: Wood, levkas, tempera

Dimensions:  height 191 cm, width 147 cm

The centerpiece of the icon shows the waist-length depiction of the Mother of God with the Child Jesus sitting Her left hand. The Divine Child turns to Our Lady, with His right hand raised up in a gesture of blessing and His left hand holding a scroll. The nude heel of Christ can be seen by the viewer. The depiction of Our Lady of Tikhvin is surrounded by the scenes illustrating the Akathist.

1.    Worship of the icon “Holy Virgin Hodegetria”
2.    The Annunciation at the well
3.    Annunciation
4.    Annunciation
5.    Annunciation
6.    Encounter of Mary and Elizabeth
7.    The proofing of Joseph
8.    The Mother of God and the maidens
9.    The Nativity of Christ
10.     The journey of the Magi
11.    The Adoration of the Magi
12.    The return of the Magi to Babylon
13.     The flight into Egypt
14.     The Presentation of Our Lord
15.     Christ and the Apostles
16.    The monks praying to the Mother of God
17.     The Deesis
18.     Christ in Majesty
19.     Christ taken to the Calvary
20.     Worship of the icon “Holy Virgin Hodegetria”
21.     The Mother of God with the candle
22.     The Descent into Hell with Christ tearing the sin records
23.     Worship of the icon “Holy Virgin Hodegetria” in the Temple
24.     The Mother of God and the orators


Inv. № 4777. © Pskov State United Historical, Architectural and Fine Arts Museum-Reserve

Bibliography: Васильева О.А. Иконы Пскова. М., 2006. № 37. С. 145-150.



  • General view