g
f"St. John of Rila"
written by Ustinian Tilov
Catalog # 1.40
Medium: tempera on wood.
Hand-made according to the
Bulgarian Iconographic tradition and
techniques.
Possible heights:
A) 19 - 21 cm
B) 25 - 27 cm
C) 38 - 40 cm
As for the width, the proportions of the original icon will
be kept.
St. John of Rila, 17th C., from the Rila Monastery. Tempera on wood, 43 x 29.5 cm. Now at the Old Bulgarian Art department of the National Art Gallery
l
The saint is shown standing and full-face, wearing a monastic habit and wearing a crosier. He stands on the green earth at the lower end of the icon while 2/3 of it are taken up by the gold background. By placing him in the foreground, the artist has imparted monumentality to the small figure. The impression is further enhanced by its dark outline projected against the gold background. The dark brown colour of the face and the brightness of its prominent parts, the treatment of the folds and the rope-like ornament attribute the icon to the second half of the 17th C. A coloured plant ornament decorates the border on all four sides. This is unusual for Bulgarian icons but is found in some late Russian icons.
The rather poorly executed inscription shows that it was painted in a studio of extremely limited local importance. St John of Rila was called Holy Father in Bulgaria, which is one indication for identifying the image.
ll
g