21. Icon on glass, "The Great Martyr Saint George and 15 scenes from his life", probably painted by Petru from Topârcea, end of the 18th century, extreme rarity, collectible

The icon represents Saint George in a rarely encountered iconographic theme in glazed painting, surrounded by scenes from his life, arranged in medallions. This composition repeats the model of some 18th-century wood icons, known mainly in the Maramureș area. The presence of this iconographic type indicates the influence of wooden painting on glass painting in the region, or possibly the transfer of craft between painters of the two techniques. The red-green-white chromatic agreement and the precise drawing are characteristic of this painter, with obvious connections to the post-Brâncovenesc painting style in southern Transylvania. The icon preserves on the back an inscription, most likely of donation, which unfortunately can only be read fragmentarily, in Cyrillic: "1825 (January?) ... this holy icon of the saint (great?) martyr ... Elijah (Tioc?) George A…, Ioan Bâlc, may their remembrance be and to all their kin.”

Dimensions

width 35 cm, height 40 cm

Description

tempera and gold foil on glaze, stained frame, with a latch

Research information

Petru from Topârcea (also known as Petru Zugrav Topârcea, Petru Zugrav Popovici, Petru Zugrav) was a muralist and icon painter active in the last quarter of the eighteenth century. Originally from Topârcea (today part of Ocna Sibiului town, Sibiu County), he carried out his work in localities from the center and south of Transylvania. His style, of popular origin, is part of the post-brancovenesc tradition of the region, with clear influences from the mural art of southern Transylvania. Considering the proximity of Sibiu, it is plausible that his artistic training took place in one of the active artisan centers in this area. His icons stand out through meticulous execution, of fine miniaturist inspiration, in which decorativism plays a central role. Although he does not stand out with a rigorous design, his works impress through a warm and harmonious chromatic palette, balanced composition, and richness of ornamental details. A version of this icon is published in "Peasant painting on glass" by Iuliana and Dumitru Dancu, Bucharest, 1975, pos. 105.

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