Ancient icon depicting 'Mother of God Who Softens Evil Hearts'. Russia (City of Moscow) 18th Century Period Egg tempera on gold ground panel Dimensions: 54 x 42 cm. From an iconographic point of view, this rare Marian type called "Mother of God Who Softens Evil Hearts" bears the Holy Spirit on her breast, represented by a dove emanating rays of light. It is, in particular, a variant of the Hodegetria Madonna, in which Christ is depicted standing, in an upright position and supported by his mother, with his right hand blessing, both with their gaze directed at the observer. The model of connection is certainly the Italian one of the 14th century; one cannot help but connect it to certain Madonnas from the Bologna area (for example, Giovanni da Bologna), in which the Virgin's mantle is often fastened to the breast by a round fibula with a small bird in the center. Orthodox iconography naturally reads this detail in a theological sense, seeing in it the representation of the Holy Spirit. Both the Mother and the Child are depicted as Queen and King of the Universe: the Virgin wears a crown on her head and holds the Christ Child, also crowned, while holding the gospel. The uniqueness of this icon therefore lies in the fact that both the mother and the son are depicted with a sumptuous crown. The details and colors are splendid, further highlighted and embellished by the gold background. The large icon in question, from the Moscow school, is in excellent condition, is clearly of a high executive level and, like all our objects, is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive sheet of the iconographic type in question.