Jesus Christ Pantocrator – Silk Screen Print on Naturally Aged Wood – Mount Athos

Description

Christ Pantocrator Icon on Naturally Aged Wood

The Christ Pantocrator icon is an excellent example of the creativity and skills of the monks at Mount Athos, as the wood on which it has been crafted was once part of a cell that underwent renovation works.

The title “Pantocrator” refers to Jesus Christ in Orthodox Christian iconography. The image of Christ Pantocrator is typically painted on the central dome (the “trompe”) of Byzantine churches, while in basilica-style churches lacking a dome, it is depicted at the center of the ceiling.

The Pantocrator Christ is usually depicted as stern yet full of love, with His right hand raised in blessing and His left hand holding the Gospel on His chest. Surrounding Him are angels, praising His glory forever.

In this particular icon, Christ Pantocrator is shown wearing a sculpted halo on His head.

For decades, the wood used for this icon was part of a cell in Mount Athos that had been renovated. The monks carefully selected pieces of this naturally aged wood for reuse. The wood was preserved using methods traditionally employed for wooden iconostasis, and the final shaping was done with the addition of the silk screen print. The grain, cracks, knots, protrusions, and other characteristics of the wood were left intact. The color palette of the composition respects the age of the wood and faithfully reflects the Byzantine tradition of Mount Athos.

As the icon is handmade and the wood is treated by hand, there may be small variations in the wood, though not in the depiction.

The icon is available upon request.

Dimensions: 33 x 25.5 x 2.5 cm