The small, ancient, and remarkable Vatican triptych depicting the “Virgin of the Sign” with the Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, and angels, was in Anton Francesco Gori’s collection (1691-1757). Then, the Sacred Museum of the Vatican Library acquired it.

On the central panel of the work, the Virgin is half-length, with her arms raised toward heaven, and in her lap is the Christ Child. On the left side panel, there is a depiction of the Apostle Peter and an angel. On the right, there is a depiction of the Apostle Paul and another angel. Among the numerous Marian iconographic types, the “Virgin of the Sign” is one of the most worshipped images of the Mother of God and is also called the “Orante”. In the Vatican triptych, the Mother of God has a blue tunic, a mitella (cap) on her head of the same color, and a red garment. Depicted with short hair, Jesus as Christ Emmanuel. In Byzantine sacred art, this type – traditionally called Christ Emmanuel, which in Hebrew means “God is with us” – depicts Jesus Christ as a child and at the apparent age of twelve. He wears a light-colored and red tunic, of which only a few traces remain today. Above, in the upper part of the central panel, three little angels are depicted – one in the middle and two on the sides – with the traditional six wings.

The origin of the title of the “Virgin of the Sign” is from: “the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive and bear a son whom she will call Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).