“Mica Deisis” ; Icoană împărătească Mica Deisis; Icoană împărătească
1850
From the collection of National Museum of Art of Romania
1850
From the collection of National Museum of Art of Romania
This painting shows a bearded man in a blue robe with red trim, holding a small book and making a blessing gesture with his right hand. Behind his head is a golden circle with Greek letters. On either side of him are two smaller figures—one holding a book, the other a staff—both set against a dark blue background with gold halos. The letters in the golden circle spell out a common religious phrase in Greek. The small figures might represent saints or disciples, but their exact roles aren’t clear from the image alone. Look up stippling to see how artists create texture with tiny dots.
