86. Icon on wood, "Annunciation", possibly painted by Simon Oprovici from Craiova, last decades of the 18th century, rare piece

The painter depicts the scene of the Annunciation, reducing it to essential compositional elements, treating it symmetrically. Against the blue background of the icon, in front of conventional architectures, painted by the artist in a personal style, the well-known scene of the Annunciation unfolds. On the left side, standing, is depicted Archangel Gabriel, and on the right side of the scene, in the same attitude, is depicted Virgin Mary. Between them, on the axis of symmetry, is the Dove of the Holy Spirit, descending from heaven. (A.D.)

Dimensions

width 25.5 cm, height 31.5 cm

Description

tempera pe lemn

Research information

Simion Oprovici (also known as Simon Zugrav Oprovici from Craiova, Simon Zugraf ot Craiova, Simon Zugraf, Simon Zugrav from Belgrade) was a mural painter and iconographer, originally from Wallachia, from Craiova, active in the last three decades of the 18th century, in the southern parts of Transylvania. His painting is within the spirit of the post-Brâncovenesc tradition, the artist proving talent and skill in creating compositions. He arrives in Transylvania, probably through his connections with painters from the outskirts of Sibiu, where he also created his earliest known and preserved works. His icons have a personal note, through the manner of treating faces and the plasticity of their relief. He settled in Transylvania from the last decade of the 18th century, in Alba Iulia.

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