Madre della Consolazione, Veneto-Cretan, early 16th century

the Mother of God depicted half-length against a golden background, wearing a blue tunic and a purple maphorion fastened at the chest, a transparent white veil draped over her hair, the orange mantle of Christ decorated with fine gold lines and the hems of the mantle of the Mother of God decorated with refined pseudo-Kufic motives, the Mother of God holding Christ on her right arm, whilst resting her left hand lovingly on his legs, Christ holding a closed scroll in one hand and making a sign of blessing with the other, his face turned towards the left, a part of his transparent white shirt visible, reaching to his elbow

Some retouching to the cheek of the Mother of God and to the cheek and the forehead of the Christ Child, some wear to the gilded background
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The iconography of the Madre della Consolazione type has clearly been influenced by Italian prototypes from the 14th century. The icon's Italian title refers to the suffering of Christ, as anticipated by his mother. The Madre della Consolazione, nearly always painted by Cretan icon painters in a late Gothic style, became very popular in the 16th century. Icons of this type were exported to Mount Athos, Patmos, Rhodes, Jerusalem, Sinai and even Flanders.