The Theotokos of Vladimir is not looking at us like she is "talking" to us. She is gazing beyond us toward the crucifixion and burial of her son. Her melancholy is always present in this icon. Also Christ does not actually look at his mother even though he embraces her tenderly. The absence of distress in his face, and his appearance--half child, half adult--suggest the risen Christ in all his splendor. This is the theological message of this icon, which is not open to interpretation, unfortunately. Icons are not novels or paintings.