“The Last Judgement: Icon from a tetraptych,” created by Orthodox Icons circa 1125-1175, exemplifies the Middle Byzantine art movement, particularly the Komnenian style of 1081-1185. This significant piece is an icon located at Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Mount Sinai, Egypt. The artwork is part of a tetraptych, a four-paneled piece used for religious purposes, illustrating the biblical scene of the Last Judgement.
The artwork is intricately detailed, divided into multiple registers portraying the heavenly courtroom presided over by Christ, flanked by angels and saints. The central composition is dominated by the figure of Christ, depicted enthroned, surrounded by the Apostles, positioned in an arc-like arrangement suggesting their divine witness. Below Christ, vivid scenes of judgment unfold, including the resurrection of the dead and the righteous being led to paradise by angels. The condemned are shown moving towards fiery punishment, illustrating the stark contrast between salvation and damnation. The icon is replete with rich colors, primarily reds and golds, typical of Byzantine art, emphasizing its sacred narrative and spiritual fervor, thus providing a transcendent visual representation of theological doctrine.