Icon, Triptych, 17th Century · Ethiopia · ID: 3048984
Belgian Private Collection
Description
wood, tempera on gesso, cord, colour flaking, water stains (exterior)
The icon shows biblical scenes: Our Lady in the form of the Madonna with the infant Jesus, protected by the archangels Michael and Gabriel, the crucifixion of Christ and the resurrected Christ, as well as St. George slaying the dragon. In addition, a large number of Ethiopian saints.
Ethiopian painting has its roots in early Christian, especially Byzantine art, but developed an independent painting style whose characteristics have been preserved for centuries right up to the modern age.
Its painting is usually characterised by a powerful colour palette, the renunciation of perspective and the frontality of the figures, as well as faces with large eyes. Icon painting in Ethiopia dates back to the 15th century.
Traditional ethiopian painting served the mediation of Christian beliefs. The biblical themes were also illustrated by their pictorial representation making them also accessible to the illiterate section of the population. While the great wall paintings could only be admired in the churches, small panel paintings and book-paintings from priests could be easily transported on journeys.