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Artwork Details
Culture
probably
Amhara peopleCreation Date
Materials
Object Types
Dimensions
left) 11-3/4 x 3-13/16 in. middle) 11-3/4 x 7-5/8 in. Right) 11-5/8 x 3-7/8 in.
Accession Number
Credit Line
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Spurlock Fund
Copyright
Collection
Gallery Labels
Panel paintings such as these were commissioned by individual church members and donated to the church in the hope that this act would gain eternal salvation. As church property, they were folded and stored with other sacred objects, appearing a few times a year for uses in holy festivals. Although Amharic is the language spoken in this area of Ethiopia, the inscriptions on the panels are written in Ge’ez, the official church language. An inscription usually names an individual character and appears above the figure.
The top of the left panel depicts the resurrection of Christ. He carries a banner of victory, with Adam and Eve at his feet. Below him, St. George rides a white horse and holds a spear with which he killed the dragon at his feet. The woman to the right has been saved from the dragon. The center panel shows the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child. The figures lying sideways at the bottom are portraits of the couple, who commissioned this piece.
At the top of the right panel, the crucifixion of Christ is shown against falling stars, a darkened sun and a blood-red moon. The Apostle John stands to the right of the cross, and on the left, the Virgin Mary covers her mouth in a gesture typical of Ethiopian women. In the middle of the right panel, Christ wears a crown of thorns with the inscription, “They nailed into him.” Below him are two Ethiopian saints.
More from the Collection
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