The artwork, titled “Vysotsky chin. Archangel Gabriel,” is a piece created by the artist known as “Orthodox Icons” during the period from 1387 to 1395. Executed in tempera, it belongs to the Late Byzantine or Palaeologan Renaissance art movement, which spanned the years 1261 to 1453. The artwork is an exemplary icon belonging to the series “Angels and Ethereal Powers” and is currently housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
In this icon, Archangel Gabriel is depicted with a serene yet solemn expression, embodying the ethereal qualities typically attributed to angels in Byzantine iconography. The Archangel is rendered with meticulous attention to detail and vibrant coloration, utilizing tempera on a wooden panel to achieve a luminous and lasting quality. Gabriel’s robes are depicted in rich hues of blue and green, with intricate highlighting that gives a sense of depth and texture. The background features a gilded and weathered appearance, indicative of the passage of time and the artwork’s historical significance. Gabriel’s wings are painted in realistic gradations of red and white, conveying an impression of graceful movement. The mix of detailed craftsmanship and ethereal subject matter makes this artwork a profound representation of Byzantine spiritual aesthetics.
