Greek Orthodox painter (19th century) - Portable triptych with Madonna Eleousa and four saints.

Greek Orthodox painter (19th century) - Portable triptych with Madonna Eleousa and four saints. 30.5 x 19 cm (closed), 30.5 x 37 cm (open). Tempera on panel, hinged triptych structure. The traveling triptych is a devotional format of Byzantine tradition, intended for the private prayer of clergy, pilgrims, or high-ranking faithful. The three-panel structure—fixed central panel and two hinged side wings—allows the painted surfaces to be closed and protected during transport. The exterior of the wings, visible when the triptych is closed, bears the painted Greek inscription IC XC / NI KA ("Jesus Christ Conquers"), flanked by a processional cross on a trilobed base symbolizing Golgotha: an essential iconographic program, with a clear apotropaic function, which immediately identifies the object as an instrument of Orthodox Christian devotion. When the triptych is open, the center features the Theotokos according to the iconographic type of the Eleousa ("The Tender Mercies"): the Virgin, wrapped in a burgundy-red maphorion, holds the blessing Child. The Greek inscriptions identify the figures: ΘΥ (Theou) and IC XC (Jesus Christ). On the side wings, four saints are depicted with golden halos, identified by partially legible inscriptions, in blue and red attire according to the Eastern iconographic color convention. The vibrant palette—ochre, red lead, green, gold—and the folk craftsmanship of the painting point to 19th-century Greek or Balkan iconographic workshops, active in the Aegean or Ionian region. Condition report: Original panel. Widespread losses of the paint layer, abrasions and lifting of the paint, particularly on the side wings. The exterior of the wings shows the preparation visible in large areas. Patina of use consistent with the age of the work. - All shipments within the EU are free and professionally packed. - Each item is sold with a certificate of authenticity with legal validity. - Further details on the condition report are available upon request. - Viezzi Arte guarantees quality and professionalism at competitive prices, contact us at [email protected] or via WhatsApp at +39 3402841279. *Message to non-Italian buyers: Please note that this work has not yet obtained the certificate of free export from Italy from the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage. This document attests that the work is not part of the Italian cultural heritage. Normally, the release times for certificates are 40 days from the appointment date: the new regulations in force since 2021 provide, for declared amounts below €13,500, shorter times at the discretion of the commission of experts. All costs for this operation are included.