Icon
Ethiopian Orthodox style
c. 1750-1855
Distemper and gesso on wood
98-2-1, gift of Mary Garland in memory of Robert Lewis Garland

Left panel
top
"St. Merkorewos" (St. Mercurius)
bottom
"Abba Gebremenfeskdus" (Gabra Manfas Queddus)

Center panel
"St. Mary with Her Beloved Son" flanked by the archangels "St. Michael" (left) and "St. Gabriel" (right)

Right panel
top
"St. George"
bottom
"Abba Teklehaymanot" (Takla Haymanot)

While Mary is most often depicted wearing a blue shawl, Ethiopian artists in the mid-16th century began painting the shawl red, a practice that related to their study of Cretan icons. The Ge'ez inscriptions found on the icons are instrumental in identifying specific individuals. For instance, St. Merkorewos traditionally rides a black, not a white horse; and the two monks holding prayer sticks are almost identical.

Translations (words in "quotes") of Ge'ez inscriptions found on the icons are courtesy Daniel Berhanemeskel.