Francesco Solimena Icons

An icon is simply a depiction of the Savior, Virgin Mary, Saints or one of the Gospel scenes and events of sacred history. The earliest existing picture of Christ dates from the early third century, but icons were likely in use as early as the 1st century A.D. Most of the religious icons come from all over Greece, Asia Minor, the Balkans and Russia. These ornate paintings on wood and bronze carry rich histories and intricate religious symbolism. Icons can be carved in wood, carved in stone, cast in metal, embroidered in fabric, hand painted with oil and acrylic paints, gold flakes or coated with clear resin epoxy. There is a wide range of holy icons, including rare Russian icons, silver icons, serigraphs, Christian panels, portable panel icons, triptych and diptych icons, print mounted, hand-carved wooden plaques, and many more. Russian icons are often characterized by elaborately-engraved silver or gold frames.