#01299 ICON PAINTING

The artwork presents a close-up portrait of a youthful figure, likely female, rendered in a style characteristic of Byzantine iconography. The composition is tightly focused on the head and shoulders, eliminating any background context beyond a roughly defined green field that frames the face. This framing emphasizes the subject’s presence and directs attention to her expression.
The artist employed a limited palette dominated by earth tones – ochre, brown, and sienna – for the skin and hair, contrasted with the red of the garment visible at the neck. The application appears layered, suggesting a technique involving tempera or encaustic paint on wood. The surface exhibits signs of age and wear; flaking paint reveals underlying layers and contributes to a sense of antiquity and veneration.
The figure’s features are idealized yet possess a certain solemnity. Large, dark eyes dominate the face, conveying an impression of inward focus and perhaps even melancholy. The eyebrows are arched slightly, contributing to this expression. A small floral motif is positioned centrally above the forehead, adding a subtle decorative element. The hair cascades down in carefully arranged strands, meticulously rendered with individual brushstrokes that create texture and volume.
The overall effect is one of quiet dignity and spiritual contemplation. The lack of narrative context encourages viewers to project their own interpretations onto the subject’s gaze. The damaged condition of the painting, while detracting from its pristine appearance, simultaneously enhances its aura of age and historical significance, hinting at a long history of devotion and preservation. It suggests an object that has been cherished and repeatedly viewed over time.