Icon of the Holy Trinity by Ioannis Skordilis

Material: Wood, Tempera paint, Gold leaf
Date range: 1738
Origin: Painted by Ioannis Skordilis

This is a large wooden icon depicting the Holy Trinity in a specific iconographic type known as Paternitas (Paternity) or Enthronement . It was painted by Ioannis Skordilis in 1738. The composition is divided into three parts:

• God the Son (Christ): Seated on the left, depicted as a mature man with a beard and dark hair. He wears a dark brown tunic and a flowing red himation (cloak). He holds an open red book (likely the Gospel) with inscriptions in his left hand, and his right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing.

• God the Father (Ancient of Days): Seated on the right, depicted as an elderly man with a long white beard, wearing a white or light blue flowing garment. He also holds a scroll or a rolled book in his left hand, and his right hand is raised in a gesture of address or blessing.

• The Holy Spirit: Symbolized by a dove with outstretched wings, positioned centrally above and between the heads of the two seated figures.

Both seated figures are placed on a cloud formation depicted in shades of grey, indicating their celestial setting, and they sit on or next to a raised surface or throne base which is red/brown. The background is entirely gold leaf, which is now heavily tarnished and scratched, emphasizing the divinity of the scene. The figures are surrounded by stylized golden halos, and the names "HAGIA" (Holy) and "TRIS" (Three) are visible in the top corners, confirming the subject is the Holy Trinity.

The icon, BXM 11319, reflects the post-Byzantine artistic trends of the 18th century, which often presented the Holy Trinity in this Western-influenced manner.

Museum label reference: Icon with Holy Trinity. Painted by Ioannis Skordilis. 1738. BXM 11319

Original Text: Εικόνα με παράσταση της Αγίας Τριάδας. Ζωγράφος Ιωάννης Σκορδίλης. 1738.

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