The artwork titled “Sts Stephen and Christopher”, attributed to “Orthodox Icons”, dates back to approximately the year 1700. Rendered on wood, this piece is a religious painting that forms part of the “Saints” series.
The artwork depicts two significant saints within the Orthodox Christian tradition, Saint Stephen and Saint Christopher. Saint Stephen, shown on the left, is dressed in ornate clerical vestments, signifying his status as an early Christian martyr and deacon. He holds a censer in his hand, underscoring his role in liturgical services. To the right stands Saint Christopher, distinguished by his unique depiction with the head of a dog, which is a characteristic of certain regional iconography traditions. He is clad in military attire, holding a lance and shield, symbolizing his martyrdom and role as a protector. Both figures are surrounded by gilded halos, emphasizing their sanctity. The overall composition is marked by its rich use of color and the detailed, stylistic elements that are emblematic of Eastern Orthodox religious art from this period.
