Object ID
2008.11.2
Object Name
Icon
Date Created
1943
Object Entities
Object Description
This is a large painting of St. Constantine. In the painting, he is depicted wearing military clothes, a red cape, carrying a large crucifix/cross and has a halo. Behind him on his right side is an approaching army carrying spears and sheilds. On his left side is a temple/church. There is Greek writing on his left and a small box of text in the bottom left hand corner. The frame is gold and very intricately decorated. The back of the frame is in poor condition, nearly falling apart.
Origin
St. Constantine (285-337 CE) "The Great " was known as th 13th Apostile of the East. Served for Rome under Diocletian's Ceaser. Jr. Emperor of York England, Son of Constantius 1 Chlorus. Said to have lead his fathers army following his death. He was born under Muslim faith, and later converted. Hung in 1819, June 2nd is his day.

As story goes, during a dream, Constantine saw a vision of the symbol of Christ, above the sun. Considering this a divine symbol, " it is said that Constantine had his soldiers paint the symbol on their shields. Following this event Constantine went on to defeat the stronger army of Maxentius at the Battle at the Milvian Bridge (Oct AD 312)." (http://www.roman-empire.net)

"Constantine remained for some years still very tolerant of the old pagan religions. Particularly, the worship of the sun god was still closely related with him for some time to come. A fact which can be seen on the carvings of his triumphal Arch in Rome and on coins minted during his reign. " (http://www.roman-empire.net)
Rights and Reproduction
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Citation
Icon, 1943, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/7877. Accessed 04/23/24.