Tyragetia (Dec 2013)
The image of Our Lady of Hârbovăţ from the collection of icons of the National Museum of History of Moldova
Abstract
The six icons from the collection of Marian icons from the National Museum of History of Moldova represent the image of Our Lady of Hârbovăţ. Of these, three are large processional ones and the others are smaller, home icons. The techniques of their manufacture are different: from tempera and oil on wood and gilding with gold leaf to chasing the fish glue gesso and enamel paints. All these icons are Russian and Bessarabian and are dated from the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. As is known, the appearance of the icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăţ in the monastery dates from the late 18th century and is connected with the name of a Russian officer Nikolai Albaduev. Sources indicate that it was a family heirloom, handed down from generation to generation. In the monastery it proved to be a miracle-working icon. Multiple copies of it have spread in Bessarabia and beyond, and soon the image has become widely known as the icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăţ. On April 17, 1859 the Holy Synod has recognized its miraculous properties and approved the requests of Chisinau residents, allowing annually, from October 1 to April 17, with a procession to transfer the icon of Our Lady of Hârbovăţ from the monastery to Chişinău. This image is of the Hodegetria type. The image of the Virgin is presented till the knees; she holds the Child on her left hand and points at him with her right hand. The Savior blesses with his right hand, and in his left hand he holds a scroll. Their heads are inclined to each other. The distinctive elements of this type of Marian iconography are the outstretched more than usual right arm of the Savior, his light shirt with a belt, sad face of the Virgin and floral decoration of her garments.
