Object ID
2006.31.4
Object Name
Icon
Material
Glass; Paper; Wood
Object Entities
Gatbos, Athanaglos and Ekaterina Makris (owned by)
Demetrakakes, Angela (is related to)
Gatbos, Athanasios (is related to)
Gatbos, Ekeaterina (is related to)
Nicholas, Saint (is related to)
Object Description
This is a framed icon of Saint Nicholas on an ecru matte with a gold frame and covered by glass. The saint is pictures from the abdomen up so that draped in his long robes he take up most of the picture. There is just room above the halo to have the words "Tioc" and "Nicholas" (translated) on either side.

Saint Nicholas is weraing a pink robe with gold borders blue interior sleeves. His collar is a light blue with large gold crosses on it. A long golden chain with cross pendant hand around his neck so that it hits the same point as his collar and liesalong the central axis of the picture. In his left hand the saint carries a Tiffany Blue book with gold accents (most likely the bible though it isn't marked). His right hand is making a symbol of blessing with two fingers (pointer and middle) raised but slightly bent and his pinkie and ring bent to touch his thumb.

Saint Nick i sportrayed as an old man with a full beard and some wrinkles in his forehead. His head is framed by a flat gold halo. It is painted with the same metalic finish as the crosses on his outfit and the accents on his book. A bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds serves to fill the background.
Origin
This painting was donated my Angela Gatsos Demetrakakes in honor of her parents' memory. They had previously own and used this item.

Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of Greece. He is the cultural ancestor of Santa Klaus because of his long tradition of charity and helping children. In Greek Orthodoxy Icons are used as representations of holy figures through which the spirit of the saint (in this case) can be worshiped. They are not, as in some religious traditions, a manifestation or a stand-in for a diety to be worshipped as if it was itself holy. An Icon is a vehicle for worship not an object of worship. An icon such as this clearly shows its artistic lineage from the Byzantine tradition of representing saints although the birght pastel pinks and blues are recognizably Greek.
Rights and Reproduction
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Any other use, such as exhibition, publication, or commercial use, is not allowed except by written permission in accordance with the NHM Image Rights and Reproduction Policy.

For questions on image rights and reproduction, please contact nhmcollections@hellenicmuseum.org
Citation
Icon, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/7596. Accessed 03/19/24.