19th-century icon “Feast of the Pokrov (Protection) of the Veil of the Mother of God”
This mid-19th-century icon, “Feast of the Pokrov (Protection) of the Veil of the Mother of God), reflects the deep devotional traditions of Eastern Orthodoxy, where the Pokrov symbolizes the Virgin Mary’s protection over the faithful.
Technical Photography
The technical photography examination highlights the value of infrared false color (IRFC) in detecting and mapping retouches. These appear with slightly different tones in the IRFC image compared to the original paint. Ultraviolet fluorescence (UVF) further confirms these retouches by providing a complementary comparison.
Infrared imaging also reveals underdrawing and compositional changes, offering insights into the icon’s creation process. Particularly noteworthy is the reflected UV (UVR) image, which shows the incised lines outlining the figures more clearly than raking light (RAK).
