The artwork, “Battle Between Novgorod and Suzdal in 1170 (Miracle of the icon ‘Theotokos the Sign’)” created by Orthodox Icons, dates from approximately 1400 to 1450. This tempera on wood composition, belonging to the Novgorod school of icon painting, measures 133 x 90 cm and is housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
In this splendid representation, the artwork’s upper portion illustrates a sacred event featuring clergy holding icons and a cross, while townspeople engage in reverence and supplication. The central scene showcases mounted figures—presumably commanders or knights—advancing toward the battlefront, conveying a powerful sense of movement and tension. The lower segment depicts the clash of armies, where densely packed soldiers and horses create an imposing formation. This complex interplay of figures and symbolic elements encapsulates the dramatic moment of divine intervention through the “Theotokos the Sign” icon, reflecting deep religiosity and the historical fervor of the period. The intricate details of the church buildings and the garb of all participants emphasize the sanctity and gravity of this historical battle within the iconographic tradition.
