The artwork titled “Passion of Christ,” created by the artist known as Orthodox Icons between 1575 and 1600, is a seminal piece from the Galicia-Volyn school. This iconic artwork, part of the “Passion of Jesus” series, resides in the National Art Museum of Ukraine (NAMU) in Kyiv, Ukraine, and is a notable example of the icon genre.
This artwork is a multi-panel depiction that narrates the Passion of Jesus Christ through a series of meticulously detailed and vivid scenes, typical of traditional Eastern Orthodox iconography. Each panel meticulously portrays a different event from the Passion story, arranged in a structured and linear fashion that facilitates the viewer’s journey through the narrative. The composition is rich in color, with an emphasis on warm, earthy tones that evoke a sense of sacredness and historical depth. Architectural elements, figures in expressive postures, and symbolic gestures are rendered with precision, reflecting the devout craftsmanship and spiritual devotion characteristic of the Galicia-Volyn school’s iconographic tradition. The visual storytelling is enriched by the integration of intricate details that invite contemplation and reverence, marking this artwork as a significant religious and cultural artifact.
