Icon depicting Christ blessing three military saints
Medium:Steatite, carved in relief
Geography: Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), Turkey
Date: c. 1200 AD
Period: Byzantine period
Dimensions:8 x 5 x 0.9 cm
Object number: 2002.89.1
Credit Line: Gift of Susan Tanenbaum. Certified by the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board under the terms of the Cultural Property Export and Import Act. Attestée par la Commission canadienne d'examen des exportations de biens culturels en vertu de la Loi sur l'exportation et l'importation de biens culturels.
Gallery Location:Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Gallery of Byzantium
DescriptionChristian imagery flourished after the Roman Emperor Constantine recognized Christianity in 313. At first, Christ was often shown as a youth. Representations of the Crucifixion appeared a century later. Depictions of Mary emphasized her role as the mother of God. Depictions of the life of Christ, apostles and saints, identified by their appearance and attributes, soon developed.
