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RELIGIOUS ICONS
BY GILBERTE MASSICOTTE-ETHIER

"Words for the eye..."

Presenting a Canadian artist who is today one of the few existing iconographers using the whole process of the original craft involved in creating religious icons,works of art cherished by both connoisseurs and people of faith.

Christ in Glory (34' x 21')
An original interpretation of the religious Icon of Novgorodcreated in the XV Century. It joins the Christ of Transfiguration and theChrist of Resurrection in full glow.

THE RELIGIOUS ICON : in our time, the religious icon is a strength, a sourceof hope. It is a presence bearing witness to the most beautiful love story.Humans need tangible means to help them grow and pray: they need beauty andtruth to give meaning to their lives. Testimonies are many to the strengthand help brought by the icon. It is a message of love and light.

THE WORK : the complex original craft involved in creating religious iconsincludes, 1- use of a plank made from solid wood; 2- multiple sanding andbasic covering of the whole plank with rabbit skin glue; 3- the plank iscovered with a cloth soaked in hot rabbit skin glue; 4- 12 layers of levka(mix of Meudon white with glue), each finely sanded, are applied to obtaina smooth marble finish; 5- the theme is drawn; 6- six layers of bolus (soilmixed with fish glue) are applied to receive two layers of gold leaf, patientlyburnished to reflect the light; 7- are then applied the colors made of vegetalpigments (kremmer) mixed with egg yolk; 8- varnishing and benediction.

THE ARTIST : totally involved in her unique artistry, the artist hasa degree from Laval University after being through the Fine Arts School (Ecoledes Beaux Arts). She trained in the very regulated sacred art of iconographyfrom the source, in Monasteries in France and at the Jean Damascene Workshop,and also at the Vladislav Workshop in New York. She is extremely gratefulto the orthodox Greeks who have kept this tradition alive to this day. Shehas now worked with religious icons for the last twenty years. A sold outbook was published on her work; a video documenrary describing the processand the meaning of creating a religious icon was made by Laval University;she was the subject of a special broadcast aired on the French CBC. She hasgiven talks on her experience and has stirred a controversy with her presentdays attitude between traditionnalists and modernists in her city paper.Her works were shown at places like the Marie-Fitzback Museum, the Museumof Religions in Nicolet, the Museum of Quebec, the Basilique of Quebec andother churches.

Trinity of Roublev

The best known and most appreciated of religious icons.Considered the most perfect in its design, it illustrates the mystery ofthe three persons gathered in God. The circle formed by the three personsis open. One place stays available: it is for you, if you choose so.

(32.5" x 20.75)

The House
of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus

This particular model stands inthe Chapel of Ephesus, where Mary is believed to have spent her last days.Mary is showed in devotion for her Son in the Heavens.

(26" x 18.5")

Arrival in Jerusalem

Arrival in Jerusalem

Illustrating a privileged moment in the life of Jesus,this model belongs to the very early religious iconography.

(21" x 15 ")

Baptism of Jesus

One of the fifteen Great Mysteries in the Christiantradition. Shows the first apparition of the Trinity: alongside Jesus appearsthe spirit in the guise of the dove, and the Father through the voice saying,"This Son is my Beloved, you shall listen to Him".

(21" x 15")

Virgin Eleousa

The Virgin Eleousa -
Virgin of Loving Kindness

Inspired from theVirgin of Vladimir created around the XII Century, this icon illlustrateshow the Mother of God is also our merciful Mother.

(21" x 15,.5")

P.S. Defect in bottomangle of picture not in original icon.

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