Hodegetria
Sign in to savethumb|right|260px|Version of the Virgin of Smolensk|Theotokos of Smolensk by [[Dionisius (c. 1500)]] thumb|260px|12th-century plaque found in Torcello Cathedral; a full-length figure like the original in Constantinople
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Constantinople
- Spread of the image
- Hodegetria of Smolensk
- Italian tradition
- Gallery
- Eastern church
- Western church
- See also
- Notes
- References
- External links
thumb|right|260px|Version of the Virgin of Smolensk|Theotokos of Smolensk by [[Dionisius (c. 1500)]] thumb|260px|12th-century plaque found in Torcello Cathedral; a full-length figure like the original in Constantinople
A Hodegetria, or Virgin Hodegetria, is an iconographic depiction of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) holding the Child Jesus at her side while pointing to him as the source of salvation for humankind. The Virgin's head usually inclines towards the child, who raises his hand in a blessing gesture. Metals are often used to draw attention to young Christ, reflecting light and shining in a way to embody divinity. In the Western Church this type of icon is sometimes called Our Lady of the Way.