Slovene Madonna

Mary Help of Christians

Marija Pomočnica z Brezji

This family monument is sculpted from a national Madonna. Its many predecessors were mostly paintings. Here, they needed the permanence of stone.
The original is by Leopold Layer 1818, it is surrounded in 23 karat gilt frame, and more gold work. Layer was the last Slovene baroque painter. This Slovene icon is a 'modernised' form of a Theotokos Eleousa (God-bearer Tender Mercy). The faces touch. Mary presents her Son to the world, and the Child looks to His Mother. Layer was also influenced by a Madonna of Lucas Cranach the Elder.

Brezje is a small village in the Karavanke Alps. It is the most popular pilgrimage site in Slovenija. The chapel that contains the painting has been enlarged to be a basilica. The painting has been reproduced many times. It is in many churches, and more homes. It is an image that is most beloved by this Slavonic nation.
one of many Madonnas (Mariahilf) by Lucas Cranach the Elder *1472, 1553†. Innsbruch Cathedral (Dom).
Our Lady of Vladimir came first to Kiev c. 1131 from Constantinople, and then to Vladimir in 1155. In 1395 it went to Moskova (Moscow), and is credited saving the city from Mongol-Tatars and German-Nazis.

These are variations of Bogorodica icons. Bogorodica is Slavonic for the Greek, Theotokos, Godbearer.