The artwork titled “The Deesis and the Twelve Great Feasts,” created by the collective “Orthodox Icons” around circa 1450 to circa 1500, is a distinguished piece belonging to the Late Byzantine/Palaeologan Renaissance movement (c. 1261–1453). This venerable icon, part of the “Christ the Savior” series, represents the genre of religious iconography revered in ecclesiastical traditions.
In the center of the artwork, Christ the Savior is prominently depicted, flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist in the traditional Deesis composition. Surrounding these central figures are twelve smaller panels, each illustrating one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox liturgical calendar. These intricate scenes include notable events such as the Nativity, the Presentation in the Temple, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. The artist employed vivid colors and meticulous detailing, utilizing gold leaf to enhance the sacred and divine nature of the icons, which is characteristic of the Byzantine aesthetic. The artwork carries significant religious symbolism and devotion, capturing the essence of Byzantine spirituality and artistic excellence.