4 The Virgin with the Playing Child

2Russian style Icon, late 20th century Artist: Nancy W. Oliphant

This icon is referred to as the Virgin with the playing Child and is a variation of the Virgin Eleousa or Mother of tenderness Icon. It differs from the traditional Mother of Tenderness in that there is movement depicted in the uncovered and flailing arms and legs of the Christ Child. Also, as in this example, the Virgin and Christ Child’s head are depicted touching chin to chin rather than cheek to cheek, once again depicting the movement of an restless child. The agitation is due to a forbearing of the Passion of Christ and in some depictions the Christ Child is pointing to his feet in anticipation of the Cross and perhaps the crushing of the serpent’s head in Genesis three.