St. Archangel Michael
Type:
Icon
Period:
1854 year
Dimmensions (cm):
43
/ 31
/ 2.5
Location
Country: Bulgaria
Province: Blagoevgrad
Village: Dobursko
Source
Country: Bulgaria
Province: Blagoevgrad
Village: Dobursko
Description
A traditional treatment of the theme, in the center of the composition being the figure of Saint Archangel Michael with a sword in hand, prepared to stab the man under him - the rich sinner, who is in a decoratively and conventionally painted garden. In his left hand the saint is holding a little and naked human figure, symbolizing the sinner's soul. The background is developed in a decorative manner and includes in the landscape buildings, a sky and two female figures leaning over the rich man. The inclusion in the composition of the other elements, such as buildings, figures of devils, and the manner of treating the forms, suggest the colourful characteristics of a master iconographer of the Samokov school of art. This finds a certain degree of support in the donor's inscription as well.
Iconographical technique: Tempera
The layer of the painting is a thin one, of a smooth texture, of more than one layers on the garments and the carnations (faces and hands). The painting is a primitive one. The varnish cover is applied thinly and evenly. The gilding is on bole, with gold-leaf, polished.
Base material: Wood
The icon's base is a softwood panel with two reinforcing nailed beams. The ground coat is of plaster, laid thinly in several layers.
State, restoration traces and comments
There are traces of overpaintings with distemper and an egg vehicle. There is under the composition an inscription.
