Vision of the Apocalypse | |
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Greek: Όραμα της Αποκάλυψης, Italian: Visione dell'Apocalisse | |
Artist | Thomas Bathas |
Year | c. 1596 |
Medium | tempera on wood |
Movement | Cretan School |
Subject | Revelation of Saint John the Divine |
Dimensions | 170 cm× 116 cm(66.9 in× 45.6 in) |
Location | Cave of the Apocalypse, Patmos, Greece |
Owner | Monastery of Saint John the Theologian, Patmos, Greece |
Vision of the Apocalypse, also known as The Revelation of John the Evangelist, is a tempera painting by Thomas Bathas. The massive icon is over four hundred years old. Bathas was from the island of Crete. He was a painter active during the second half of the 16th century. He was active in Heraklion, Venice, and Corfu. He was an important member of the Cretan School. The painting follows the traditional maniera greca. The magnificent icon is on the Greek island of Patmos inside the Cave of the Apocalypse. The mysterious site is believed by Christians [1] [2] to mark the spot where John of Patmos received his visions that he recorded in the Book of Revelation. [3] [4] [5]
The work is a tempera painting with gold leaf on wood. The dimensions are 170 cm (66.9 in) x 116 cm (45.6 in). It is nearly 2 meters (6 feet) in height. It is massive in comparison to other traditional portable icons. At the bottom of the painting John of Patmos is sleeping in a cave. The Apostle is wearing a red and green toga. The painter exhibits a clear definition of lines and folds of fabric. The grooves and curvature of the toga are clearly evident. It is also apparent that he is sleeping on rocks. The rocks show clear definition and form. The apostle is in a cave. [6]
Above the mysterious sleeping apostle, John of Patmos is in a glorious scene depicting his revelation. Seven candles and seven angles represent the seven cities: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each candlestick is designed with careful detail and attention. They are all made of gold and reminiscent of 16th century Venetian candlesticks. Atop each candle, a torch-like flame represents the holy light.
Each angel holds a building in its grasp depicting each city. The apostle is floating above the world in a spiritual Aura propped up by angles. Thomas Bathas continues to paint the rocks of the cave in the upper portion of the massive panel creating the illusion that the apostle is in a cave. There are seven stars in the apostle's right hand. In his left hand, he holds a set of keys often known as the Keys of Heaven. Saint Peter is often depicted holding the two keys in his left hand. Behind the keys is a sword.
The gilded background strongly outlines the painted shapes. The figures are formed out of abstract but expressive contours. Thomas Bathas clearly identifies various body parts or items of clothing while creating beautiful patterns. He clearly uses striations to suggest folds of fabric. The bright red, pink, white, and green colors suggest the artist implemented the cangiante style.
The image became popular in the media. It has been featured in countless films, books, newspaper articles, and magazines. It has become an icon representing the book of revelation. In 1995, the Hellenic Republic featured the iconic image on a stamp that circulated throughout the country. It is one of the most common representations of the Revelation of John the Evangelist in the world. [7] [8]
Patmos is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. It is famous as the location where John of Patmos received the visions found in the Book of Revelation of the New Testament, and where the book was written.
The Monastery of Saint John the Theologian is a Greek Orthodox monastery founded in 1088 in Chora on the island of Patmos. It is named after St. John of Patmos, the author of the Christian Book of Revelation who, according to the text, lived on the island when visions of the apocalypse came to him. Since its founding, the monastery has been a pilgrimage site and a place of Greek Orthodox learning and worship. The monastery is unique in that it integrated from its founding the surrounding community of Chora, which was built around its fortifications. Religious ceremonies that date back to the early Christian period are still practiced within the monastery today. Because of its sacred significance, uninterrupted architectural evolution, and the exceptional preservation of early Christian customs, the monastery was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, along with the town of Chora and the nearby Cave of the Apocalypse.
The Cave of the Apocalypse is located approximately halfway up the mountain on the Aegean island of Patmos, along the road between the villages of Chóra and Skala. This grotto marks the spot where St. John of Patmos received his visions that he recorded in the Book of Revelation. It became a location of Christian pilgrimage and is recognized as a Greek Orthodox Church to this day. In 1999, UNESCO declared the cave a joint World Heritage Site, as one of the most sacred sites of Christianity.
Apocalypse or The Apocalypse is a biblical telefilm produced for European television released in 2002 starring Richard Harris and co-starring Bruce Payne.
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