Eleousa · Umilenie
Hand-painted icon of the Virgin of Tenderness
The Mother of God holds her Son cheek to cheek: this is the Eleousa, the icon of tenderness, one of the most beloved images of the whole Byzantine tradition. Concetta Basile hand-paints it on a wooden panel, with 23¾ karat gold and natural pigments, to commission and in the size you wish.
The meaning of the Eleousa icon
In the Eleousa the Child surrenders to his Mother's face and embraces her; she holds him and, at the same time, looks at the person praying before the icon. Her gaze is veiled with sorrow: the Mother foresees the Passion of her Son. A single image thus holds both the intimacy of maternal love and the mystery of Redemption.
The most famous prototype is the Theotokos of Vladimir, brought from Constantinople to Russia in the 12th century and today kept at the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. Many variants derive from that model, each with its own details in the position of the Child and the hands.
Symbols to read
- The three stars on the veil (maphorion): virginity before, during and after the birth.
- The letters MP ΘY: «Mother of God», the title proclaimed by the Council of Ephesus.
- The purple or dark blue mantle: the royalty and humanity of the Virgin, clothed in divinity.
- The gold ground: uncreated Light, the space of God in which the scene is immersed.
- The unlined face and large eyes: not a portrait, but the transfigured person.
Works from the atelier
Some icons of the Mother of God painted by Concetta Basile. Every commission is a new and unique work: the images show the style and the level of finish, not models to be reproduced in series.
Virgin of Tenderness, round
Round panel, gold ground with scroll decoration.
Madonna dei Martiri
Tenderness type, red halo, rectangular panel.
Mother of God of Tenderness
Panel with decorated border, MP ΘY letters.
Eleousa with green mantle
Detail: worked gold ground and stars on the veil.
Sizes and personalisation
The icon of Tenderness suits every format: from small travel or bedside icons (12×16 cm) to home-altar icons (24×30 cm), up to large formats for private chapels and churches (50×70 cm and beyond, made to measure). The panel can be rectangular, square, round or arched.
It is a traditional gift for the birth of a child, for a wedding, and for homes that wish to create a «beautiful corner» of prayer. You can choose the colour of the mantle and the language of the inscriptions, Greek or Latin; the icon is always fully gilded.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Hodegetria and the Eleousa?
In the Hodegetria the Mother presents her Son by pointing to him: she is «the one who shows the Way». In the Eleousa the relationship is intimate: the Child presses his cheek to his Mother's. The first is an icon of proclamation, the second of tenderness and compassion.
How long does a Virgin of Tenderness icon take?
It depends on size and number of figures, but it is always a matter of months: every layer of gesso, gold and colour needs drying time, and the final olifa varnish is applied after a period of rest. For an event with a fixed date, commission well in advance.
Can I have a round Tenderness icon?
Yes. The round format with a decorated gold ground is part of the atelier catalogue, alongside rectangular, square and arched panels.