Tempera and oil painting of St. Paul on wood panel. St. Paul is featured standing and bent towards the left clutching an orange and red book in both hands. He is clothes in orange robes and turquoise tunic decorated with gold leaf linework. This same gold leaf is used to made the halo that sits behind his Roman tonsure haircut and full three strand beard. St. Paul walks barefoot on a solid green base below a solid orange background with red border. A red Cyrillic caption sits to the right of his head. The icon is surrounded by a silver frame with white, green, red, blue, and turquoise enamel flowers around the border. The piece is backed in dirtied purple velvet.
Spirit Made Tangible: The Scheuring Icon Collection (2006)
Interpretative Labels
Label Type
Cultural/Historical Context
Label
"St Paul was one of the most important scholars and proselytizers in the early Christian period. He was first known as Saul and persecuted the followers of Christ. After his dramatic conversion to the Christian faith, Paul began preaching the Gospel and traveled extensively. His writings are recorded in various epistles collected in the New Testament.
In the present image, Paul holds a book, most likely his own writings, and stands in three-quarter profile looking toward the viewer’s left. His tall form and precisely rendered drapery reflect the Byzantine style. The enameled border matches his clothes with its white, dark and light blue, and orange hues. The arch of the frame accentuates the figure’s slenderness and height."
