Triptych Icon with Virgin and Child (central panel) (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
In this icon, Mary’s robes nearly fill the framing arch, emphasizing her centrality in the Ethiopian church, where she is revered as Theotokos—Mother of God. Christ gestures to her with both hands, denoting her role as intercessor for humanity. The pair is regaled above by archangels bearing swords and below by holy men raising slender hand crosses.
The scenes in the right side panel include (from top) the Crucifixion, the Annunciation, and an unidentified saint. The left side panel shows (from top) the Resurrection with Christ raising Adam and Eve (this scene is more common in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches), Mary and the young Christ, and St. George slaying the dragon.
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