Christ the Judge and Dodekaorton Icon

Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens, Greece

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Material: Wood, Tempera paint, Gold leaf
Date range: Late 18th century AD
Origin: From Asia Minor

This is a large, complex rectangular icon (BXM 10811) that combines the dramatic vision of the Second Coming of Christ with the traditional narrative of the Twelve Great Feasts (Dodekaorton). It dates to the Late 18th century AD and originates from Asia Minor.

The icon's surface is divided into multiple small scenes:

• Central Panel (Apocalyptic Vision): The core of the icon is a detailed representation of the Last Judgment or an apocalyptic vision with Christ the Judge enthroned in glory at the center .

  • Upper Section: Above Christ, the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist (the Deisis) are shown interceding, framed by a luminous, cloud-like mandorla.

  • Middle Section: Christ is surrounded by the Apostles and ranks of angels sitting on clouds. Below them, crowds of the Righteous and the Saved rise from their tombs and gather.

  • Lower Section (Judgment): The lowest register depicts the Resurrection of the Dead and the separation of the saved from the damned, with crowded scenes of figures moving toward the judgment.

• Surrounding Border (The Dodekaorton): The perimeter of the icon is filled with small, rectangular scenes illustrating the Twelve Feasts of the Orthodox Church calendar, as well as scenes from the Passion of Christ and the lives of the saints. These scenes frame the central apocalyptic vision.

The icon's dense, narrative style, the use of multiple registers, and its focus on dramatic, theological themes are highly characteristic of post-Byzantine icon painting, particularly from the workshops of Asia Minor in the 18th century.

Museum label reference: Icon with Christ the Judge in an apocalyptic vision, and scenes from the Twelve Feasts. From Asia Minor. Late 18th c. BXM 10811

Original Text: Εικόνα του Χριστού Κριτή σε apocalyptic όραμα και σκηνές Δωδεκάορτου. Από τη Μικρά Ασία. Τέλη 18ου αι. BXM 10811

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Icon with Christ the Judge in an apocalyptic vision, and scenes from the Twelve Feasts (Dodekaorton)

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