The artwork known as “Apostle Philip” is an icon crafted by Orthodox Icons, dating from approximately the 9th to the 10th century. It exemplifies the aesthetic and religious impulses of the Middle Byzantine period, which spanned from circa 850 to 1204. This iconographic representation falls within the “Saints” series and presently resides at Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Mount Sinai, Egypt. It is a testament to the spiritual and artistic traditions that flourished during this epoch of Byzantine culture.
The artwork is a religious icon, portraying Apostle Philip in a full-length format. He is depicted standing, clad in traditional Byzantine attire, which includes a long, flowing tunic with rich folds and tones of blue and grey, detailed with red and white accents that highlight the fall of the fabric and the form beneath. Philip’s youthful visage is solemn and serene, with a gaze that extends beyond the viewer, suggesting spiritual contemplation or divine inspiration. In his left hand, he elegantly holds a scroll, signifying his role as a teacher and an evangelist. To the upper right corner of the artwork, a smaller figure, possibly representing Jesus Christ or another sacred figure, is present—illustrating a hierarchical or theophanic relationship.
The background of the icon is relatively austere, with a muted, earth-toned palette that directs focus to the saint himself. The inscriptions likely identify the depicted figure as Philip and may contain additional ecclesiastical or devotional text. The icon’s surface shows the characteristic wear of time, which underscores its historical and devotional significance. With its stylized representation and adherence to the symbolic language of Byzantine religious art, the icon of Apostle Philip is a notable example of Middle Byzantine iconography that has been preserved for both veneration and historical appreciation.
