16th Century Italo-Byzantine School - Triptych with Odighitria Icon featuring the Salvator Mundi and two saints on ...

16th Century Italo-Byzantine School - Triptych with Odighitria Icon featuring the Salvator Mundi and two saints on the wings.
This magnificent triptych presents in its central panel the figure of the Virgin Odighitria, depicted with a solemn expression and introspective gaze, holding the Christ Child, who carries the orb as a symbol of his role as Salvator Mundi. The richly decorated garments of both figures stand out for their intricate ornamentation, with geometric patterns and gilded details that evoke the Byzantine tradition. On the side wings, the two saints, likely Saint Nicholas and another bishop, are shown holding books and making gestures of blessing, embodying sanctity and spiritual authority.

The composition is delicately balanced, where the warm tones of the gilding contrast with dark and intense reds, creating a visual effect of great depth and luminosity. The precise technique and attention to detail reflect the mastery of the Italo-Byzantine workshops of the 16th century, which combined the rich Byzantine heritage with the stylistic innovations of the Italian Renaissance.

This triptych, conceived as a devotional object, would have occupied a prominent place in a liturgical or private context, serving as a bridge between the earthly and the divine. Its exceptional artistic and spiritual quality makes it an outstanding example of the confluence of cultural and religious traditions in the sacred art of the period. Tempera on panel. Dimensions: 25 x 3 x 19 cm (closed), 25 x 3 x 38.5 cm (open).