Summer 2022: Icons

He is shown half-length in the costume of a high official of the Byzantine imperial court. He is winged, haloed and wears a green chlamys over a blue chiton with jewelled golden belt, collar and cuffs. He holds a staff and, in his right hand, green stems with feathery flowers. Rafael is associated with healing and protection of travellers.

Archangels Gabriel and Michael are widely illustrated in wall paintings and in icons, Rafael is rare. (He appears in Western art in the story of Tobias and the Angel.) Our example dates from the mid or second half of the 19th century and comes from a very good workshop. The painter works in the tradition that goes back to Byzantium.

Comparison with this Byzantine mosaic of the archangel Rafael shown blessing with his right hand. Over the right shoulder he has a red ribbon (clavus). The Greek letters to the right spell the name: RAFAIL. This mosaic is in the Pamakaristos church, Constantinople, constructed and decorated in the 14th century. The type, with oval face, curly ribboned hair is derived from Hellenistic art of the 2nd century BC.