“Mary and the Child (Hodegetria)”, created by Orthodox Icons around 1200–1225, is a distinguished piece from the Middle Byzantine era and the Latin Empire of Constantinople (1204-1261). This artwork, classified under the genre of religious icons, focuses on the Virgin Mary, also known as the Mother of God, and is housed in Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai in Egypt.
The artwork depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child in a traditional Hodegetria pose. Mary’s tender gaze is directed outward, engaging the viewer, while her right hand gestures towards the child, who is seated on her left arm. The Christ Child is presented with a mature, regal expression, emphasizing his dual nature as both divine and human. The rich mosaic technique employed captures intricate details and vivid expressions, surrounded by ornate patterns and symbolic halos. The somber colors and refined textures reflect the spiritual gravity and reverence attributed to this significant iconographic representation within the Byzantine tradition.
