Virgin Athonitissa – Lithograph with Sandblasting – Mount Athos

Description

Lithograph with Sandblasting of the Virgin Athonitissa

Standing tall and imposing, the Virgin Athonitissa stands protectively above Mount Athos. She is the Theotokos, who, holding the staff of the abbess, leads, protects, and guides the monks of the Athonite State. At her feet, the monasteries of Mount Athos, the shores, and the nature that adorns the third leg of Chalkidiki are visible. On either side of her are depicted some of the countless saints of Mount Athos.

Throughout history, people have praised and honored the Virgin Mary like no other human being. Ecumenical Councils, great Fathers, ascetics, hymnographers, and poets speak of her and hymn her. “For she stands higher than any measure of praise,” says Saint John of Damascus. There is no Church service in which the Virgin Mary is not remembered, hymned, and praised as the greatest mediator between God and humanity.

On Mount Athos, all services are conducted with deep reverence. Matins, Vespers, the Hours, Compline, Midnight Offices, and Divine Liturgies. The Virgin Mary occupies the highest place, second only to the Holy Trinity. The Akathist Hymn, the Paraklesis, and other Kanons, inspired by her image, speak of her and refer to her.

Lithograph with Sandblasting: Features

In this image, the monk-artist employed the lithography technique to create a work of exceptional beauty. Using a lithographed copy of Byzantine art, the monk crafted this piece following the traditional method of artificial aging, as taught in the iconography workshops of the Athonite State. The artificial aging process of the icon is handmade, a procedure to which the monks of Mount Athos attach great importance.

Additionally, the technique of sandblasting is used around the perimeter of the image, a method that involves the erosion of part or the whole of a surface by blasting sand under pressure.

The image is available upon request.

Origin: Mount Athos

Dimensions: 21 x 34 x 1.5 cm