A monumental church icon of Christ Enthroned. The Saviour is portrayed as the King of Heaven, sitting on a magnificent gold throne amidst clouds clad in opulent garments. In his left hand, he holds an orb, in his right is а sceptre. The icon is painted in bright, vibrant colours with a rich use of gold.
Christ Enthroned is one of the oldest and most popular subjects of Christian art. The iconography was developed in the 4th century, probably under the influence of late antique imperial portraits. The immediate source for the image were the words of the Apocalypse of John: “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald” (Revelation 4:2-3).
