The Vine – Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Lithograph of the Vine

A beautiful lithograph depicting the Vine. In this image, Christ is represented as the trunk of a tree, with the Twelve Apostles surrounding Him. Six of them are depicted on one side and six on the other, as branches of the tree. Christ is at the center of the image, with His arms outstretched in blessing, while holding the open Gospel in His arms, where it says: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser.” The symbolism is particularly significant in this iconographic theme, where Jesus Christ is presented as the vine, giving life to its branches so they may bear fruit. The branches can only bear fruit as long as they remain united with the trunk, just as the faithful of the Church must remain connected to Christ to bear spiritual fruit.

Lithograph: Characteristics

In the image depicting the Vine, the iconographer monk used the technique of lithography to create a work of unique beauty, enhanced by the distinctive iconographic theme. Specifically, 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. Moreover, the artificial aging of the icon is handmade, a process to which the monks of Mount Athos attach great importance.

Origin: Mount Athos