Vladimir icon of the Mother of God
Mid-17th century, National Gallery Prague
The icon of the Mother of God from Vladimir is the most venerated icon in the Russian orthodox world. According to a legend it was painted by the apostle Lucas and the Mother of God herself stood him as a model. In the reality, the icon comes from the 11th century and it was created in the Byzantine milieu. It was brought to Russia in the course of the 11th century; lately it was transferred to Vladimir nad Kljazmou that became the new Russian capital after Kiev in the second half of the 12th century. The icon was seriously damaged during the conquest of Vladimir by Mongolian troops under the command of Genghis Chan´s grand-son Bátú in February 1238. In 1395 it was transferred from Vladimir back to Moscow to be saved from Tamerlane´s troops.