H x W x D: 16.7 x 26.7 x 1.5 cm (6 9/16 x 10 1/2 x 9/16 in.)
Type:
Painting
Geography:
Ethiopia
Date:
Early 16th century
Label Text:
While Mary is most often depicted wearing a blue shawl, Ethiopian artists in the mid-16th century began painting the shawl red, a practice that related to their study of Cretan icons. The Ge'ez inscriptions found on the icons are instrumental in identifying specific individuals. For instance, St. Merkorewos traditionally rides a black, not a white horse; and the two monks holding prayer sticks are almost identical.
"St. Mary with Her Beloved Son" flanked by the archangels "St. Michael" (left) and "St. Gabriel" (right)
Right panel
top: "St. George"
bottom: "Abba Teklehaymanot" (Takla Haymanot)
Description:
Triptych of distemper and gesso on wood. Depicted in the left and right panels: Top register are equestrian Saints on white horses, bottom register, saint with red cloak, book, hand cross and conical hat The central panel is Mary and Christ child flanked by archangels with swords. Mary has a red cloak/shawl and holds the child in her proper right arm.
The central panel is Mary and Christ child flanked by archangels with swords. Mary has a red cloak/shawl and holds the child in her proper right arm.
Provenance:
Ciro Taddeo, purchased in Addis Ababa,1972
Mary Garland, Arlington, Virginia 1972 to 1998
Exhibition History:
African Art and The Shape of Time, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor, August 18, 2012-February 3, 2013
Inscribing Meaning: Writing and Graphic Systems in African Art, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, May 9- August 26, 2007; Fowler Museum at University of California, Los Angeles, October 14, 2007-February 17, 2008
Ethiopian Icons: Faith and Science, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., January 31-October 5, 2003
Published References:
James, Erica E. 2005. "Technical Study of Ethiopian Icons, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution." Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, 44 (1), p. 41-45, nos. 1-7.
Kreamer, Christine, Mary Nooter Roberts, Elizabeth Harney and Allyson Purpura. 2007. Inscribing Meaning: Writing and Graphic Systems in African Art. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution; Milan: 5 Continents Editions, pp. 92-93, no. 7.4.
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