Theotokos Enthroned

Theotokos Enthroned. Acrylic and Gold on Birch. 2019. 24 x 28in.

This icon depicts the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with her Son and our God, Jesus Christ. In most icons, she is overshadowed by angels, calling to mind her fulfillment of the Old Testament shadow of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was a vessel holding the Glory of God, overshadowed by angels. The Virgin Mary contained the fullness of the Godhead within her womb. Her womb is "More spacious than the heavens" (Πλατυτέρα των Ουρανών) in that she contains the Creator who cannot be contained by the entire universe. She is the Throne of the Most High; the Mercy Seat is no longer empty, but is occupied as a throne of the King of Kings.

I have painted this type before, such as this wall painting at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, Rockford, Illinois, USA.

The Theotokos Enthroned. Acrylic on canvas and plaster. 2019. 9 x 20 feet. Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, Rockford, Illinois, USA.

In the Rockford wall painting, I was able to spread out the throne and angels across a broad triangular format. A challenge with this comission was fitting the same figures into a portrait format. 

Sketch for the icon.