The artwork titled “Christ Acheiropoietos (made Without Hands)” is attributed to the Orthodox Icons and dates approximately from the years 1150 to 1200. Executed in tempera on wood, this piece is a significant example of the Novgorod school of icon painting, a prominent art movement of the time. The genre of the artwork is icon, and it is part of the “Christ the Savior” series. The artwork is currently housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.
In this artwork, the visage of Christ is depicted with profound solemnity and spiritual depth. The iconography adheres to traditional Orthodox canons, emphasizing symbology and stylization rather than naturalism. Christ’s face is rendered in a symmetrically balanced composition with large, expressive eyes that convey an aura of divinity and contemplation. The hair and beard are meticulously detailed with fine lines, adding an intricate texture to the depiction. The overall color palette is dominated by rich, earthy tones that contribute to the sacred and venerable atmosphere of the icon. The background features a circular halo, indicative of Christ’s holiness and eternal light. This piece exemplifies the deeply spiritual and theological essence characteristic of Novgorod iconography.
