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Archangel Michael, who is considered the head of the heavenly forces, is portrayed winged and with golden Nimbus, holding fire sword of truth and scroll of life. The archangel is shown full-length, in militarry attire standing on a cloud. Wings are widely spread and painted like real bird feathers in brown tones. Painted in a very fine in detailed manner, defining his armor in tiny brushstrokes. Circa 1900.
Hand painted devotional image on a thick plank of wood.
An icon in general is a painting of a saint, a holy picture of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The art of icon painting originates from the early Christian and Byzantine tradition. In an Orthodox church, icons are placed on a special wall and at home, they have a corner of their own.
Since the purpose of the icons is to convey a religious message, only trained Orthodox painters are allowed to produce them. Strict rules govern every aspect of icon painting: the way colours are to be mixed, how the saints should be depicted, even the range of colours used.
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