“Icon Of The Saint Larissa Of Gothic The Martyress Baren/Beride The Laywoman” (female martyr wearing in scarf (kerchief) on off-white background) Painting

Painting: Wood, Cut-back centre portion, Canvas (“Pavoloka”) on Wood, Gesso (“Levkas”) on Wood, Egg Tempera on Wood, Gilding It was done in egg tempera on wood, and carefully finished with a high quality varnish. The board with two wooden cut-in counter-pins (“shponki”) on the back of the icon. The icon looks old-time and very similar to the original ancient icons of the 16th century. The icon is executed in technique of ancient art imitation. This iconography was widespread in 16th century Russian icon-painting. The faces are executed in accordance with the 16th century Russian tradition. This icon is a unique, one of a kind works of art best represents the ancient art imitation. I developed my own unique style and created modern Russian Icons stylized under olden time, created in the style of XVI century. Executed in great details, one will discover ever over time, always new and intriguing details. On the bottom margin carries, against an off-white background, is inscribed the red color text (words) of the old Slavanic language, written in an ornamental script. The inscription contains information on how the icon was painted. The kovcheg (cut-back centre portion) is deep, with two thin connected cut in the reverse side. The icon is written in the ancient tradition, in strict accordance with the canon and technology of iconography. On the reverse of the icon is my signature. Please understand colors may vary slightly between the actual painting and the image on your screen due to my digital camera’s results and your monitor. Let me know if you have any questions! I will be happy to answer. Thanks for looking! ****************************************************************** Larissa (Ancient Greek: Λάρισα) is a female given name of Greek origin. The name is spelled Λάρισα in modern Greek and Лариса in Cyrillic. Saint Larissa of Gothic is a female martyr. The name was later borne by the Christian martyr of the fourth century Saint Larissa. Saint Larissa (died c.375) - early female martyr venerated by the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches. The Orthodox Church usually relates the name with Saint Alla, the widow of a Gothic chieftain, martyred in King Athanaric's times. Saint Larissa of Gothic also known as the martyr Baren (Beride) Saint Larissa (Beride) of Gothic was one of twenty-six martyrs who were killed by the Goths around the year 375 under Jungerich, a persecutor of Christians. She was a beautiful young woman. Ancient synaxaria of the Gothic Church recount the martyrdom of twenty-six Christians (among them were adult female and male, and children too) in the time of the emperors Valentinian, Valens, and Gratian. The historian Sozomen says that King Athanaric was enraged to see his subjects embracing Christianity because of the preaching of the Arian bishop Ulfilas. So, he ordered many of them to be tortured and executed, often without a trial. In Crimea, King Athanaric’s ministers placed a statue in a chariot and paraded it before the tents which Christians used for church services. Those who worshiped the idol and offered sacrifice were spared, the rest were burned alive in the tent. Jungerich gave orders to burn down a church during divine services. In the fiery inferno 308 people perished (among them were a few laywomen in the Crimea and a few laymen in the Crimea), of whom only twenty-one are known by name. There was also an anonymous man who came to the tent and confessed Christ. He was martyred with the others. Different manuscripts give variants of their names. This happened in or close to the year 375. In the reign of Valentinian and Theodosius (383-392), the Gothic king’s widow Gaatha (who was an Orthodox Christian) and her daughter Duclida gathered the remains of the holy martyrs and departed with them to Kizik (in Crimea). When St. Gaatha returned to Gotha, the enraged pagans stoned her. Her daughter St. Duklida gave up her soul peacefully in Kizik. Sts. Larissa and Alla suffered together with other martyrs during the first half of the 4th century in Gotha, where by the order of the tsar Ungerik they were burned in the church during liturgical services. The martyrs who died under Athanaric's persecution known by name are three clerics and 18 laypeople (11 men, 7 women). To this are added the four children of Wereka and Batwin (two sons and two daughters), plus an anonymous man who came to the tent and confessed Christ as Winguric was about to burn it and was martyred together with the others, to arrive at the number of "twenty-six martyrs" whose remains were transported by Gaatha. The 21 martyrs known by name are recorded with multiple variants in manuscript tradition: Werekas (or Ouerkas, Vercus), a papa or priest, Batwin (or Bathouses, Bathusius), a bilaifs (minister?) Arpulas (Arpilus), a monk, eleven laymen: Abippas (Abibus), Hagias (Agnus), Ruias (Reas), Egathrax (Igathrax), Eskoes (Iscous), Silas, Sigetzas (Signicus), Swerilas (Sonerilas), Swemblas (Suimbalus), Therthas (Thermus), and Philgas (Phillus), seven laywomen Anna, Alas (Alla), Baren (Beride, also recorded as Larissa), Moiko (Monco), Kamika (Mamika), Oneko (Virko), and Anemais (Animais, Animaida), The list includes Syrian, Cappadocian and Phrygian names, even though the victims were all Goths. The "26 Gothic martyrs" are commemorated in Orthodox Christianity on April 8th (March 26th Old Calendar), but in the Gothic calendar fragment on 29 October (gaminþi marwtre þize bi Werekan papan jah Batwin bilaif. aikklesjons fullaizos ana Gutþiudai gabrannidai "remembrance of the martyrs who with Werekas the priest and Batwin the bilaif were burned in a crowded church among the Goths"). The same fragment for 23 October proscribes remembrance of "the many martyrs among the Gothic people, and of Fridaric" (þize ana Gutþiudai managaize martwre jah Friþareikeis), Fridaric being an otherwise unknown Gothic martyr. The icon portrays the half-length figure of the Saint Larissa (Beride) of Gothic. In her right hand she is holding the eight-pointed cross. The Saint Larissa is portrayed dressed in the red cloak of the martyress and white headscarf (kerchief) with exquisite patterns on her head. Saint Larissa is portrayed in a frontal pose attired in dark-green, almost emerald, clothes. The clothes is covered with a long red cloak. The white pigments can be seen on the clothes. The icon depicts the energetic outlines of clothes and exquisite figure of the Saint Larissa. The volumes are modeled, to a large extent, by color highlights while gold is more perceived as paint. The face is painted graphically and is covered with the intense highlights. While the icon is medium in size, the Saint Larissa’s image looks majestic. In the delicate harmony of this work and meditative face with fine features one can find the influence of the style of old icon-painter masters. The face of the Saint Larissa is noted for the profound and contemplative expression. She face is painted in brown ochre with whitewash highlights and cinnabar (red) contours of the lips. The halo and some elements of clothes are painted in gold. The halo is golden with red outlines. The ornamentation of clothes look so lifelike that one can almost feel the tissue of clothes. The austere image of Saint Larissa is distinguished by the unusually elongated and symmetrical contours, a long and thin nose, a motionless look of big eyes, raised eyebrows. Saint Larissa is portrayed as a beautiful and attractive woman. The background of the icon is off-white colour. The whole composition and iconography are traditional for the Russian icon painting of the 16th century. The half-figure the Saint is beautifully painted on a vertical board. The Saint’s image is noted for prayerful concentration and spiritual enlightenment. In her right hand she is holding the eight-pointed cross (the symbol of martyrdom). The icon has emotional shade. The painting of the face is combining liquid ochre and reddening. Contemporary Medieval Russian Art

Painting:Tempera on Wood

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:11 W x 18 H x 1 D in

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