The artwork known as “Saint Arethas,” created by Orthodox Icons around the year 950, is a ceramic piece from the Middle Byzantine art movement (circa 850–1204). This icon falls within the genre of religious iconography and forms part of the “Saints” series. Currently, it resides in the Walters Art Museum located in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States.
The artwork depicts Saint Arethas, presented with notable Byzantine stylistic traits. The saint is illustrated with a solemn expression, accentuated by detailed features such as a long beard and profound eyes. The piece, executed in ceramics, is characterized by its use of earthy tones and a delicate, yet expressive, rendering of the saint’s visage against a muted background. Despite evident signs of aging and wear, with visible cracks and fractures across the surface, the reverence and veneration inherent in Byzantine icons shine through. The work is encased in a simple, linear frame, highlighting the central figure’s significance and spiritual gravity.
