This painting is called ‘The Life-giving Spring’ or ‘Zoödochos Pege’ in Greek.
This is dated to approximately 1700s in Istanbul, Turkey.
Communities of different traditions often visit sacred water sites – from rivers to springs – to worship and seek protection and healing.
People often collect water from the source because they believe it has healing or holy powers, and also to keep as a memory of their trip.
The name ‘Life-giving Spring’ is for both the painting and the spring.
The spring is located in one of the most respected Byzantine monasteries in Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople.
It is famous for many stories about miracles and healing, such as raising a Greek Orthodox pilgrim from the dead, and curing Roman Emperor Justinian’s illness in 559.
This painting depicts the original miracle which purportedly took place on 4 April 450.
In it, the Virgin Mary, holding the baby Jesus, speaks to a soldier named Leo who was looking for water for a thirsty blind man.
You can see a line of light and holy words travelling from Mary’s mouth to Leo’s.
Mary says: “Leo, go into the deepest part of the woods, and you will find water there. Take some of the cloudy water in your hands and give it to the blind man to drink… Then you shall know who I am.”
The blind man recovered his eyesight, and the soldier later became the Byzantine Emperor, Leo I.
In Istanbul, there is a sanctuary called the Monastery of the Mother of God at the Spring, which houses the painting ‘The Life-Giving Spring’.
Orthodox Christians, pilgrims and tourists visit this place, with many believing it has healing powers.
Here on display is a small bottle.
In 2024, an academic called Nur Sobers-Khan visited the spring and collected the holy water, which is in this very bottle.
You are invited to touch this bottle if you would like.