Madonna and child, fragment of a wall painting

This fragment orginally decorated a church. Mary's head is surrounded by a halo, and to her right part of the infant Jesus' head can be seen. This is an iconic depiction of the Madonna and Child of a type referred to as Virgin Hodegtria, which generally shows the virgin holding the infant Jesus in her left arm while pointing to him with her right. The fragment exhibits a Byzantine painting style and resembles paintings found in churches in Bethlehem and Abu Ghosh.