Diptych Icon with Saint George, and Mary and the Infant Christ
(Ethiopia)
This is an extremely well-preserved early example of a diptych (two-panel) icon designed for personal use. The small size of the piece and its brightly painted interior would have enhanced the owner's sense of personal connection to the sacred figures depicted. St. George was often paired with Mary in objects of this type because he, more than any other saint, was considered her special messenger. His presence in this icon offered a special guarantee that the owner's petitions would reach Mary and Christ.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Ginette Giordana, Nîmes, France [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Sam Fogg Rare Books and Manuscripts, London, England, 2004; Walters Art Museum, 2004, by purchase.
Conservation
Date | Description | Narrative |
---|---|---|
6/2/2004 | Treatment | cleaned; stabilized; other |
11/6/2006 | Treatment | stabilized |
11/15/2011 | Treatment | stabilized |
Geographies
Ethiopia (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 7 3/8 x W: 11 in. (18.7 x 27.9 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, 2004
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
36.16