Artwork
Sfântul Grigore Iluminatorul botezând regele Tiridates (cu scenele torturării sfântului)
Sfântul Grigore Iluminatorul botezând regele Tiridates (cu scenele torturării sfântului) is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Alba Iulia Roman Catholic Archdiocese.
About this work
Overview
The work depicts Saint Gregory the Illuminator performing the baptism of King Tiridates, accompanied by a series of sixteen vignette circles that illustrate various episodes, including scenes of martyrdom. The central figures are rendered in vivid gold and red tones, set against a dark, indistinct background.
Subject & Meaning
The main tableau presents the saint, robed and crowned with a tall headdress, holding a cross and a bowl, while the newly baptized monarch kneels, offering his hands. The surrounding circles function as narrative inserts, recalling the saint’s earlier sufferings and the broader context of Christian persecution.
Technique & Style
Executed in a richly colored palette, the painting relies on strong contrasts between luminous gold, deep reds, and the shadowy backdrop. The composition combines a dominant central scene with peripheral circular panels, a format typical of liturgical storytelling in Eastern Christian art.
History & Provenance
The piece is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of religious iconography. Its acquisition details are not specified, but it remains within the museum’s holdings.
Artist & collection
Museum
Alba Iulia Roman Catholic Archdiocese
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