Icon of the Archangel Gabriel, early 14th century

The icon depicts the archangel Gabriel (112X42) in full length and in a three-quarter pose. He wears a tunic, tied in a knot in front of his chest, and a himation, girded at the waist. His curly hair is held in place with a ribbon. The face is oval, with delicate features, and his gaze exudes a serene melancholy. The ochre of the flesh is combined with olive-green shadows and light red spots, while thin white strokes subtly illuminate the face and neck. The figure's body, rendered in regular proportions, has a noble posture and rhythmic counter-movement, reminiscent of the sculptures of antiquity. The garment has broad and flexible folds, which plastically render the volume of the body. The icon does not retain its original dimensions. Due to the position of the archangel, we assume that it was part of a Great Deesis iconostasis. Based on the iconographic and stylistic characteristics, it is associated with painting ensembles from Thessaloniki workshops of the early 14th century, and possibly the second decade of it.