Icon
Ethiopian Orthodox style
Late 17th century
Distemper and gesso on wood
94-21-1, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Erwin

Left panel
St. George slaying the dragon

Right panel
Mary with the Christ child flanked by the archangels Michael and Gabriel.

The tender, interactive pose of Mary and the Christ child is developed from an Italian engraving (copied from an icon in Rome's Santa Maria Maggiore), which Jesuit missionaries introduced to Ethiopia early in the 17th century. The placement of Michael and Gabriel and the juxtaposition of imagery of Mary and St. George slaying a serpentlike dragon are traditional Ethiopian imagery. The elaboration of the clothing, particularly the use of patterned textiles, reflects the richness of court life and the use of Indian fabrics. The detail of Mary's white pleated cap, however, probably derives from Cretan icons.

Translations (words in "quotes") of Ge'ez inscriptions found on the icons are courtesy Daniel Berhanemeskel.