The artwork, titled “Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles” and created by the artist known as Orthodox Icons around the year 1300, employs tempera, wood, gold, and gold leaf as its mediums. This piece is representative of the Late Byzantine/Palaeologan Renaissance period, which spans from approximately 1261 to 1453. Categorized within the genre of icons, it belongs to a series depicting Saints.
The artwork portrays the twelve apostles, rendered with meticulous attention to detail characteristic of Byzantine iconography. The figures are depicted with gold halos, set against a vibrant gold background, which conveys a sense of divine presence and sanctity. The apostles are shown in a tightly grouped composition, interacting with one another, each adorned in traditional robes bearing rich, deep hues. The use of gold leaf enhances the sacred aspect of the piece, bringing a celestial dimension to the depiction. The inscriptions above the figures, although partially worn, add a textual element that anchors the visual composition in its ecclesiastical context.
