Label Type
Cultural/Historical ContextLabel
Cosmos and Damian were twin brothers who lived in the 3rd century. They were called the “Unmercenary Physicians” because they accepted no money for their services. They are usually shown together holding medicine boxes and spoons (cf. 2005.02.078). In this icon the brothers are standing at the left and right, with their traditional, two-tiered medicine boxes. They are the patron saints of doctors and pharmacists, and are invoked for aid in scientific studies. Their feast day is July 1. St. Sergius of Radonezh (ca. 1321-1391) appears standing between them, wearing the vestments of a monk; he is famous for establishing the Holy Trinity Monastery (cf. 2005.02.046 ). A legend states that as a pious youth he wanted to learn to read and write, but could not. He met a holy hermit while herding cattle, and the hermit gave him a piece of bread which suddenly made it possible for him to learn. His feast day is July 5. Perhaps the three saints shown here were joined because their festival dates almost coincide. (Perhaps instead they were all associated with scholarly pursuits and were invoked during examination periods.) Above in the clouds is the figure of Christ with his arms outstretched in benediction. The floor tiles one sees recede into the distance, showing the influence of western perspective in art.. There also is a floral border around the scene. The riza, engraved and worked in the repoussé technique, indicates a shallow space for the figures. The artwork is encased in a gold painted frame which lies within a wooden box with a removeable back and gold scroll motif around the edges.