“The Grower of Crops,” created by the artist known as Orthodox Icons in 1912, is an iconographic artwork that falls within the genre of religious icons. This piece is part of the series titled “Virgin Mary, Mother of God.”
The artwork portrays the Virgin Mary seated upon a celestial platform, her arms outstretched in a gesture of supplication or blessing. She is enveloped in an aura of golden light that radiates from her head, symbolizing her divine and holy nature. Mary is attired in a dark robe with red accents, and her serene expression reflects compassion and spiritual tranquility. Below her, the earthly realm is represented by golden crops, implying the theme of fertility and sustenance that the Virgin Mary oversees. The overall composition of the artwork melds the heavenly and terrestrial, underscoring the intercessory role of Mary between the two realms. The icon’s detailed texture and muted color palette contribute to its antique and sacred quality, evocative of early 20th-century religious artistry.
