This Byzantine icon was painted by an artist who specialized in icons of the Madonna. Byzantine icon conventions are present such as flattened, elongated features and the customary gesture of Mary's hand pointing to Jesus, called the "Madonna Hodgetria" (The One who Points the Way). Other traditional conventions are Mary's head and shoulders covered with a golden hemmed veil, and the gold stars on her forehead and shoulders that represent the belief in her perpetual virginity. She bends her head toward her son in tenderness, and Jesus adoringly holds the hand of his mother. In the language of icons, touching symbolizes intimacy. What is striking in this icon is the Christ child's gaze over his shoulder to look at the cross, symbolizing his foreknowledge of the Passion. The angels are thought to be Gabriel and Michael, holding symbols of the Passion: the Cross, the lance, and the sponge.