H x W x D: 19.8 x 33.6 x 2.1 cm (7 13/16 x 13 1/4 x 13/16 in.)
Type:
Painting
Geography:
Ethiopia
Date:
Late 17th century
Label Text:
The tender, interactive pose of Mary and the Christ child is developed from an Italian engraving (copied from an icon in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore), which Jesuit missionaries introduced to Ethiopia early in the 17th century. The placement of Michael and Gabriel and the juxtaposition of imagery of Mary and St. George slaying a serpentlike dragon are traditional Ethiopian imagery. The elaboration of the clothing, particularly the use of patterned textiles, reflects the richness of court life and the use of Indian fabrics. The detail of Mary's white pleated cap, however, probably derives from Cretan icons.
Left panel
St. George slaying the dragon
Right panel
Mary with the Christ child flanked by the archangels Michael and Gabriel
Description:
Distemper on wood diptych composed of St. George and the Dragon on the proper right panel, with an equestrian saint on a white horse spearing a serpent on a background of red seperated by a green section. The proper left panel is composed of Mary in a blue shawl/cloak flanked by two archangels with swords. The Christ child in patterned yellow garment sits on Mary's proper left arm, looking at her face and holding a book. Mary has red markings on her cheeks and neck, holds a patterned handkerchief and wears white pleated cap.
The proper left panel is composed of Mary in a blue shawl/cloak flanked by two archangels with swords. The Christ child in patterned yellow garment sits on Mary's proper left arm, looking at her face and holding a book. Mary has red markings on her cheeks and neck, holds a patterned handkerchief and wears white pleated cap.
Provenance:
Ciro Taddeo, purchased in Ethiopia, 1972
Frank Erwin, Arlington, Virginia, 1972 to 1994
Exhibition History:
Ethiopian Icons: Faith and Science, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., January 31-October 5, 2003
Published References:
James, E. E. 2005. Technical Study of Ethiopian Icons, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution. Journal of the American Institute for Conservation. Washington, DC. 44 (1): 41, 46-47.
Moffett, Dana and Stephen P. Mellor. 2003. The Curator-Conservator Collaboration: Remembering Roy Sieber." African Arts 36 (2), pp. 50-51, no. 10.
Piechocinski, Michael. 1989. "The Iconography of Ethiopia." Sacred Art Journal, 10 (3), p. 108.
Rudolf Mangisch Galerie und Auktionshaus. 1992. Auction catalogue. Zurich: back cover.
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
