The artwork, titled “Apostle Paul,” was crafted by the renowned artist Andrei Rublev around 1410 in Zvenigorod, Russian Federation. Rendered on wood using tempera, this piece is a notable example of the Byzantine style and the Moscow school of icon painting. With dimensions of 160 x 110 cm, it forms part of “The Zvenigorod Deesis” series and currently resides in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia. The genre of this artwork is religious painting, specifically an icon.
The artwork depicts the Apostle Paul with an air of solemn reverence, characteristic of Byzantine iconography. His visage is deeply contemplative, with a slender face framed by a dark beard and thinning hair. The folds of his garment, rendered in detailed strokes, fall gracefully around him. The background showcases the aged patina of time, emphasizing the historical depth of the piece. A significant portion of the lower right section has deteriorated, revealing the underlying wood, yet this erosion does not detract from the overall sanctity and artistic impact of the icon.
