The Virgin Hodegetria

MG van PatmosThe suffering Virgin with the Christ Child, with references in the top corners to the crucifixion: the cross with crown of thorns, the lance and the stake with the sponge. In the Western churches this icon is revered as the “Our Lady of everlasting relief”.

Size 27 x 35 cm

The Entry into Jerusalem

icoon080_vIn the centre of this icon, Christ is riding on a colt* to Jerusalem. The apostles, led by Peter, follow their Lord. In the foreground children are spreading clothes and branches on the ground. The branches are taken from the trees in the centre. To the right, the citizens of Jerusalem come to greet Christ. This is described in John 12:12-15, Matthew 21:1-11 and Luke 19:28-40. (*Matthew and John describe Jesus riding on an ass, Luke uses the word colt, which is a young horse)

Size: 27 x 34 cm.

Saint Catherine

icoon073_vSaint Catherine is depicted in royal robes, with books and measuring instruments. The wheel is a symbol of the torment before her beheading. The cross and palm branch are references to her martyrdom. Saint Catherine’s monastery in the Sinai is named after her and according to the tradition her corpse was brought to this monastery from Alexandria.

Size: 27 x 35 cm.

The Resurrection of Christ

Opstanding van ChristusFigures with exaggerated gestures, betraying inner emotions, existed as early as the time of the Palaeologists. Standing on the destroyed gates of the underworld, Christ bows towards Adam, whom he raises from the grave. With her hands hidden, Eve prays for redemption for herself and those standing behind her. On the other side John the Baptist leads the Old Testament kings and forefathers. The icon was originally painted by Michael Damascene.

Size: 40 x 27 cm.

Saint George and the Dragon

Sint Joris met de draakThis icon, as elegant and precise as the work of a silversmith, clearly shows the influence of western culture at that time. In this depiction, the powerful horse and the external appearance of the black dragon is derived from a work by Paolo Veneziano on the same theme, but the aristocratic severity of the Byzantine example is still evident.

Size: 27 x 34 cm (10.6 x 13.4 inches)

Saint Catherine

Saint CatherineSaint Catherine is depicted in royal robes, with books and measuring instruments. The wheel is a symbol of the torment before her beheading. The cross and palm branch are references to her martyrdom. Saint Catherine’s monastery in the Sinai is named after her and according to the tradition her corpse was brought to this monastery from Alexandria.

Size 35 x 27 cm (13.8 x 10.6 inches)

Mary Magdalene in the Garden with Christ

Mary Magdalene in the Garden with ChristMary Magdalene recognies Jesus in the garden after his Resurrection and says in Hebrew “Rabboni” (Master). Jesus says: “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father”. At the sepulchre is the empty tomb with the grave clothes that were wrapped around the body of Christ. John 20:1-18.

Size 42 x 28 cm (16.5 x 11.0 inches)

The Crucifixion

The CrucifixionChrist hangs on the Cross, surrounded by six angels. In the foreground are four weeping women, with the Virgin amongst them. To the right are John and the Roman centurion Longinus. In the cave one can see the skull of Adam. The kneeling figures in the foreground are probably the donors and/or the patrons of the icon.

Size: 42 x 30 cm (16.5 x 11.8 inches)