Family Icon

Icon Details

Medium: Egg tempera; Chalk ground (gesso); On linden board; Using gold leaf
Dimensions: 40 cm × 30 cm
Style: Ancient Byzantine
Collection: Private Collection

Description

Family icon of the Saints: Martyr Alexandra, John the Baptist, Archangel Michael and Martyr Nikita. Egg tempera on a wooden board, chalk ground, with gilding of the background with natural gold leaf.

This family icon, painted in egg tempera on wood, depicts four venerated saints: Martyr Alexandra, John the Baptist, Archangel Michael and Martyr Nikita. The icon is executed in the artistic traditions of ancient Byzantine icon painting using gold leaf and natural mineral paints.

Iconography

Each saint is depicted in the clothes appropriate to his rank in the face of the saints.

Saint Alexandra is dressed in royal vestments, since she was an empress, but these are also martyr's clothes - a crown and a purple robe, symbols of imitation of the crucified Jesus Christ.

Saint John the Baptist is dressed in a hair shirt, like all hermits, and holds a scroll with the words: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2), because his mission on earth was to call people to repentance.

Archangel Michael, the ahistratig (commander-in-chief) of the Heavenly Forces, is depicted with a staff - a sign of the power granted by God, and a mirror - a symbol of unceasing contemplation and glorification of God.

The Holy Martyr Nikita is depicted in military attire, since he served in the army, and also as a warrior of Christ, who valiantly resisted the persecutors of Christians in a bloody spiritual battle, not wanting to betray Christ and destroy his soul.

The golden background of the icon personifies the uncreated divine light emanating from God, and the spiritual world in which the souls of the Saints are after the end of earthly life.

Artistic Technique

This icon is painted with egg tempera on chalk ground, on a wooden board, with natural mineral paints, using gold leaf, and then covered with natural oil varnish for painting. The ancient Byzantine technique of icon painting was used in the painting of the icon, giving the images of the Saints a special expressiveness and asceticism.

Significance

Icons of several Saints are usually ordered as images of the Patron Saints of a particular family. These sacred images serve as a constant reminder to the entire family of the blessed intercession and intercession of the Saints before God and strengthen the soul in patience, faith, hope and love for God.

Creation Process of the Icon

Below you can explore the process of creating this sacred image, from the initial sketches to the final stage of painting. Click on the image to enlarge it and learn more about each stage of the work.