Christ the Vine (Victor)

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Christ the Vine
Greek: Ο Χριστός η Άμπελος,
Italian: Cristo Vera Vite
Christ the Vine (Victor).png
Artist Victor
Yearc. 1674
Mediumtempera on wood
Movement Late Cretan School
SubjectJesus Christ, nine original apostles with Paul the Evangelist, Luke the Evangelist and Mark the Evangelist
Dimensions52 cm× 42 cm(20.4 in× 16.5 in)
Location Hellenic Institute of Venice, Venice, Italy
Owner Hellenic Institute of Venice

Christ the Vine is an egg tempera painting by Victor. Victor was a Cretan painter active during the 17th century. The painter traveled all over the Venetian empire. He eventually settled in Zakinthos. He is one of the most important painters of the 17th century due to the enormous amount of his existing works. His catalog of art exceeds over ninety-five paintings. [1]

Contents

Christ the Vine was a popular theme among Cretan painters. Angelos Akatontos covered the theme during the early Cretan Renaissance in the 15th century. Angelo's Christ the Vine is located at the Monastery of the Virgin Hodegetria, Heraklion, Crete. Earlier versions of the theme during the Byzantine empire can be linked to the Tree of Jesse. Christ the Vine can also be associated with the parable or allegory of the True Vine from John 15:1–17. In the story, Jesus refers to his disciples as branches of himself. The gospel also consistently metaphorically references fruit. The nine original apostles with Paul the Evangelist, Luke the Evangelist and Mark the Evangelist are depicted on a tree. Leos Moskos painted a notable version also called Christ the Vine . Victor's version is part of the collection of the Hellenic Institute of Venice. [2]

Description

Christ the Vine is a tempera painting on gold leaf and wood panel. The height is 52 cm (20.4 in) and the width is 42 cm (16.5 in). The painting features nine original apostles, three evangelists, Jesus Christ, God, and the white dove. The white dove represents the holy spirit. In this rendition, the father, the son, and the holy spirit are present. Beginning from the bottom, from left to right, Thomas sits across from Philip. Traveling up the tree, the two figures in the next arrangement are Simon and Bartholomew. Simon is on the left and Bartholomew is across from him on our right. The next series of figures from left to right are Thaddeus and James. Above the central figure of Jesus, the four evangelists appear. Saint Mark and John the Evangelist are on the left. Matthew and Luke are on the right. They are listed in order from left to right. The four evangelists were very popular in Cretan Renaissance art. In this rendition, the artist preferred the four evangelists rather than the original apostles. The final two figures at the top of the image from left to right are Saint Peter and Paul the Evangelist. Saint Peter presents the keys of heaven to God. Saint Peter is often depicted holding the keys of heaven in his left hand. The icon is significantly different than Leos Moskos and Angelos Akotantos's versions. [3]

The Christ figure is significantly larger. The books of the five evangelists are open. The books in Christ the Vine by Leos Moskos are closed. The painting resembles Angelos Akotantos’s version because the books are open in his version. The wood panel is decorated with leaves and grapes. Just below the figure of God a wishbone symbol appears. The white dove is right above the Christ figure. Victor paints the majestic garment of Christ with the traditional orange and red common to the Cretan School. The True Vine symbolizes evangelism. The figure of God appears as the conductor of an orchestra. He is depicted as an elderly father figure. His attire is distinguishable from the other figures. The pink and white accentuate the figure's features.

The icon was first mentioned in a catalog in 1904. It was dated 1674 and signed by the artist Victor. It was part of the collection of San Giorgio dei Greci. In 1949, historians authenticated his signature and documents indicated the painting was in a school associated with the church in Venice. [4]

See also

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<i>The Nativity</i> (Victor) Egg tempera painting by Victor, 1660–1676

The Nativity is an egg tempera painting by Victor. Victor is sometimes referred to as Victor of Crete. Victor was active from 1645 to 1696. He traveled all over the Venetian empire. He settled in Zakinthos. Some of his important works can be found in the church San Giorgio dei Greci in Venice. He is a very important Greek painter because of his existing catalog. His works of art exceed ninety-five paintings. One of his notable works was his version of Christ the Vine.

<i>The Incredulity of Saint Thomas</i> (Tzanes) Painting by Emmanuel Tzanes

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas is a tempera painting created by Greek painter Emmanuel Tzanes. Tzanes features a catalog of artwork numbering over one hundred works. He was one of the most prolific artists of the 1600s painting in Crete, Corfu, and Venice. His two brothers Marinos Tzanes and Konstantinos Tzanes were also famous painters but Marinos is more well known for his famous poem The Cretan War Ο Κρητικός Πόλεμος. All three artists were members of the Late Cretan School and early Heptanese School (painting) they were known for participating in the movement that integrated Flemish engravings into the Greek and Italian art world.

References

  1. Hatzidakis, Manolis (1987). Έλληνες Ζωγράφοι μετά την Άλωση (1450-1830). Τόμος 1: Αβέρκιος - Ιωσήφ [Greek Painters after the Fall of Constantinople (1450-1830). Volume 1: Averkios - Iosif]. Athens: Center for Modern Greek Studies, National Research Foundation. pp. 192–201. ISBN   960-7916-01-8.
  2. Eugenia Drakopoulou (December 23, 2021). "Christ the Vine". Institute for Neohellenic Research. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  3. Tselenti-Papadopoulou, Niki G. (2002). Οι Εικονες της Ελληνικης Αδελφοτητας της Βενετιας απο το 16ο εως το Πρωτο Μισο του 20ου Αιωνα: Αρχειακη Τεκμηριωση[The Icons of the Greek Brotherhood of Venice from 1600 to First Half of the 20th Century]. Athens: Ministry of Culture Publication of the Archaeological Bulletin No. 81. p. 202. ISBN   960-214-221-9.
  4. Tselenti-Papadopoulou , 2002, p. 202