Byzantine Iconography

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My connection to Byzantine iconography and icons is deeply rooted in my eastern European roots. I was always fascinated by their beauty, symbolism and sense of history.

As an artist, I eventually wanted to understand how these works were actually created. Learning the traditional process gave me an entirely different appreciation for them. Creating an icon requires patience and precision, and follows techniques that have been passed down for centuries.

Byzantine icon writing method is a multi-step process of well-defined and strict rules that eventually combine and reflect one's spiritual journey and an artistic sense. The creation of icons calls for the use of natural materials like gessoed wooden panels, gilding with 18k gold leaf by the bole method, and egg tempera with ground pigments. Icon writing is a lengthy process that on average takes more than 40 hours to complete.

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