Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Madonna and Child

Madonna & Child (in white robe), Egg tempera and 24 carat gold on 1" solid wood panel, 36" x 24". By the hand of MF Dondelinger. Sold

Such a tender connection between mother and child in this icon. That's what attracted me to it. The oldest image I've found like it is from the 15th century. However, the reference I used is from a modern Russian iconographer and he's added some playful elements on the Christ child's white robe which I've kept true to his version. What a joy it was to create this image.




Christ

Christ, Egg tempera and 24 carat gold on 1" solid wood panel, 36" x 24"
By the hand of MF Dondelinger. Sold
This is one of my favorite images of Christ. Could it be the blue only achieved with the stone lapis lazuli (ground into pigment) which colors his robe? Or is it the calm and confident features on his face? Probably all of it together pushes this interpretation of Christ into the forefront of beautiful images in iconography.