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Catalog Data

Maker:
Ethiopian Orthodox  Search this
Medium:
Distemper, gesso and cloth on wood
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 31 x 41.5 x 1.4 cm (12 3/16 x 16 5/16 x 9/16 in.)
Type:
Painting
Geography:
Ethiopia
Date:
Early 16th century
Label Text:
The men holding hand crosses in the manner of Ethiopian priests probably represent the apostles and other saints. Although it is difficult to identify individual saints without inscriptions or obvious attributes, there are conventions that can be applied. For example, Saint Theodore rides a red horse and good persons are shown in full or three-quarter view while villains, such as the crucified thieves, are depicted in profile.
Left panel
top: Christ's Descent into Sheol (Underworld), Eve and Adam, and the Just awaiting rescue
middle: Saints
bottom: St. George and the dragon
Central panel
top: Mary and the Christ child flanked by the archangels Michael and Gabriel
middle:The red mantle over a blue dress that Mary wears shows the influence of Italo-Cretan icons. Saints
bottom: Left to right: the equestrian saint Theodore, saints and unidentified equestrian saints
Right panel
left: The Crucifixion with Mary and St. John the Evangelist, the two crucified thieves
middle: Saints
bottom: Equestrian saint
Description:
Triptych of distemper, gesso and cloth on wood. Left panel: Adam and Eve being redeemed from original sin; Saints; St. George. Central panel: Madonna and child; Saints. Right panel: Crucifixion; Saints, St. George.
Provenance:
Ciro Taddeo, purchased in Addis Ababa, 1972 to 1998
Exhibition History:
Ethiopian Icons: Faith and Science, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., January 31-October 5, 2003
Published References:
James, E. E. 2005. Technical Study of Ethiopian Icons, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution. Journal of the American Institute for Conservation. Washington, DC. 44 (1): 41,46 no.8.
Kreamer, Christine Mullen. 2012. African Cosmos: Stellar Arts. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution; New York: Monacelli Press, pp. 154-155, no. 8.1.
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Topic:
equestrian  Search this
mother and child  Search this
snake  Search this
weapon  Search this
cross  Search this
sun  Search this
horse  Search this
moon  Search this
angel  Search this
Credit Line:
Gift of Ciro R. Taddeo in memory of Dr. Volker Stitz, Ph.D.
Object number:
98-3-1
Restrictions & Rights:
CC0
See more items in:
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source:
National Museum of African Art
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7aa24424e-6419-401e-a724-00c1986dcc99
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_98-3-1