The Eye of Providence or the All-Seeing Eye of God is a type of orthodox icon that emerged in the Russian iconography in the 19th century, mostly among the Old Believers. It is a symbolic and allegorical composition of the words from the Holy Scripture that represents the omniscient and vigilant all-seeing eye of Christ. This icon is a symbolic and allegorical composition of the words from the New Testament: “Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy.” (Psalms 32:18)
At the heart of the composition of such icons is the recurring motif of circles. In the central red circle, Jesus Christ is depicted in the iconographic image of the Saviour Emmanuel with a blessing gesture. From this circle on the diagonal proceed 4 rays, on their tops are 4 small circles, inside of which are the allegorical symbols of the evangelists. Above the central circle on the central axis depicted the Virgin Mary with arms raised. The next circle is representing the sky with stars. The outermost circle depicts seraphim. Above it on the central axis is a truncated circle, in which the heaven with God the Father with a gesture of blessing is depicted.
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