Artwork Page for Icon of the Virgin and Child

Details / Information for Icon of the Virgin and Child

Icon of the Virgin and Child

500s CE

Egypt, Byzantine period

Medium
wool and dye
Measurements
Overall: 178.7 x 110.5 cm (70 3/8 x 43 1/2 in.); Mounted: 197.4 x 128.2 x 6.4 cm (77 11/16 x 50 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 1967.144
Public Domain
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Location
106A Migration Period & Coptic
Print
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Did You Know?

Created in Egypt's hot and dry desert climate, this tapestry features a border of lush greenery and fruits, while flowers peek out from around the throne of the Virgin. Imagine encountering this artistic oasis in a Coptic church during the dry heat of the day.

Description

Woven from more than 20 colors of woolen thread, this rare tapestry was more expensive than a painting when it was made. The historical price reflected contemporary viewers’ appreciation for the skilled color blending by the weavers. Hung on a wall, this tapestry allowed viewers to venerate (honor) the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child in the Christian Orthodox church. Angels and apostles surround them, their names written in Greek. To be spiritually effective, an icon (devotional image) should follow its subject’s established visual tradition as closely as possible.
A large tapestry with faded colors that is worn at the top and edges. At the center of the tapestry is the Virgin Mary with a child Christ in her lap, seated on a throne, and flanked by two angels. Above that is a depiction of a man flanked by two angels and surrounding both depictions are smaller portraits of religious figures that frame the edges of the tapestry. All figures are light-skinned.

Icon of the Virgin and Child

500s CE

Egypt, Byzantine period

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