Artwork: Archangel Gabriel

Artist: Unknown

Created: 12th century

Medium: Tempera on wood

Dimensions:

Location: State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

—————————————————

“Archangel Gabriel, also known as Angel with the Golden Hair, is one of the most famous Russian icon paintings. It is attributed to the Novgorod School of c. 1130-90. During the tenth and eleventh centuries, Christianity spread northward from Constantinople, bringing Byzantine arts to the Slavic region of Russia. The revival of iconography in this era ushered in new thinking about icons as aids to meditation. Icons take earthly materials and create something that enables the viewer to approach the divine. From this perspective, the painting of icons is a form of prayer. The jewel in the angel’s hair indicates that this is an archangel. It is thought to be Gabriel, God’s messenger, although this is disputed. Painted with large, stylized eyes, the archangel looks away from the viewer toward the mysterious and ineffable. Detached but compassionate, he inspires the contemplation of beauty and purity.” (MC)

#1001andmore #1001beforeyoudiecollections #1001beforeyoudiecollection #webgalleryofvisualart #russianicon #arthistory