The artwork entitled “Saint Anastasia of Sirmium,” attributed to Orthodox Icons, is believed to have been created between the 14th and 15th centuries, a period that aligns with the Late Byzantine or Palaeologan Renaissance era, dating approximately from 1261 to 1453. This religious icon is part of a series depicting saints and is housed in the Hermitage Museum located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The genre of the artwork is consistent with iconography, which was a prevalent form of representation during the said period in Byzantine art.
The artwork portrays Saint Anastasia of Sirmium, depicted with the traditional features characteristic of Byzantine religious iconography. Saint Anastasia is often recognized as a healer and martyr in Christian traditions. In the artwork, she appears austere and tranquil, gazing forward with a solemn dignity that is typical of Byzantine icons. The saint’s garments are rendered with fine lines suggesting folds and the texture of the fabric, hinting at the skilled craftsmanship of the artist. Anastasia is adorned in a dark green cloak with a red lining, symbolizing her martyrdom and holiness. She holds a red cross in her right hand, signifying her faith and martyrdom, and in her left hand, she holds a vessel, often associated with her role as a healer and her act of tending to prisoners.
The golden halo surrounding her head signifies her sanctity, and the stylized features of her face, with a straight nose and large, almond-shaped eyes, reflect the iconographic conventions of the time. The gilded background and the overall flattened perspective are indicative of the era’s aesthetic values, where spiritual representation took precedence over naturalistic depiction. The artwork serves as a devotional piece and as a testament to the rich tradition of icon painting that played a crucial role in Byzantine religious practices.
