Entry D
10″ x 12″, Egg Tempera
I am honored to present my submission to the esteemed Blakely Art Competition. My work is a Byzantine icon in egg tempera and 24k gold leaf on primed gesso board, crafted using a blend of carefully researched, ancient techniques and organic materials. The central figure is a portrait of my humanities teacher, whose virtuous and Christ-like persona has been an inspiration to many students.
Adorned with a brilliant halo, the figure opens his palm to reveal the lavender flame of wisdom, a vivid symbol of his intellectual and spiritual mastery. A Latin inscription in bold red reads, “Principium Sapientiae,” translating to “The Beginning of Wisdom.”
Following the ancient traditions of iconographers, I spent many weeks researching and planning each detail of the piece. The daily, painstaking process of producing egg tempera paints involved the utilization of fresh egg yolks and white wine as well as natural pigment powders. Traditional tools and squirrel brushes were employed to combine these elements, resulting in the vibrant colors you see. Each of the many layers of paint was applied with precision, allowing several hours of rest before the next coat could be applied. The 24k gold leaf, another hallmark of these age-old techniques, was applied in a methodical process over a period of weeks. Starting with a layer of organic clay, I sanded the dried substance down to a smooth base and then applied handmade rabbit skin glue, followed by the gold leaf. Each of seven layers of gold leaf required careful gluing, a week of drying, and burnishing to achieve the desired effect.
Throughout the centuries, these time-honored techniques have produced stunning works of Christian art that stand the test of time. I humbly hope that my submission to this prestigious competition will serve as a testament to the beauty and enduring power of these ancient processes.