A New Contribution to Studying the Fresco of the Holy Virgin Milkprofferer in Peć

Abstract

In the church dedicated to Holy Virgin Odigitria in the Patriarchate of Peć, the foundation of Archepiscope Danilo II, among several images of Virgin Mary the greatest attention of the researchers was attracted by Holy Virgin the Milkprofferer (Nurturer). Mother of God was painted on the southern wall of the narthex, sitting in the throne with the child Christ suckling in her lap. On the left and right side two angels are represented, showing their respect. To the right, three young women or girls approach, greeting her with their arms outstretched. The fresco was painted about 1330. Close links between the theological ideas expressed in the Akathist service (praise to Holy Virgin Odigitria) and the fresco of Holy Virgin the Milkprofferer are evident. Those ideas found their expression also in the fresco of Holy Virgin the Milkprofferer in the monastery Matejci near Kumanovo, painted a quarter of a century later.