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Vision of the ApocalypseApocalypse, also known as The Revelation of John the Evangelist, is a
The gilded background strongly outlines the painted shapes. The figures are formed out of abstract but expressive contours.
tempera
Tempera (), also known as egg tempera, is a permanent, fast-drying painting medium consisting of colored pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder medium, usually glutinous material such as egg yolk. Tempera also refers to the paintings done ...
painting by Thomas Bathas
Thomas Bathas ( el, Θωμάς Μπαθάς, 1554 – 1599; also known as Tomios or Tomio, Batta Tornio) was a Greek painter, educator, and Vikar. He employed the maniera greca in some of his work but he also broke from tradition by employi ...
. The massive icon is over four hundred years old. Bathas was from the island of Crete. He was a painter active during the second half of the 16th century. He was active in Heraklion
Heraklion or Iraklion ( ; el, Ηράκλειο, , ) is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion regional unit. It is the fourth largest city in Greece with a population of 211,370 (Urban A ...
, Venice
Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 ...
, and Corfu
Corfu (, ) or Kerkyra ( el, Κέρκυρα, Kérkyra, , ; ; la, Corcyra.) is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the margin of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The isl ...
. He was an important member of the Cretan School
Cretan School describes an important school of icon painting, under the umbrella of post-Byzantine art, which flourished while Crete was under Venetian rule during the late Middle Ages, reaching its climax after the Fall of Constantinople, becom ...
. The painting follows the traditional maniera greca
Italo-Byzantine is a style term in art history, mostly used for medieval paintings produced in Italy under heavy influence from Byzantine art. It initially covers religious paintings copying or imitating the standard Byzantine icon types, but pa ...
. The magnificent icon is on the Greek island of Patmos inside the Cave of the Apocalypse
The Cave of the Apocalypse ( el, Σπηλαιο Αποκαλυψης, ) is located approximately halfway up the mountain on the Aegean island of Patmos, along the road between the villages of Chóra and Skala. This grotto marks the spot where, ...
. The mysterious site is believed by Christians to mark the spot where John of Patmos
John of Patmos (also called John the Revelator, John the Divine, John the Theologian) is the name traditionally given to the author of the Book of Revelation. The text of Revelation states that John was on Patmos, a Greek island where, according ...
received his visions that he recorded in the Book of Revelation.
Description
The work is a tempera painting with gold leaf on wood. The dimensions are 170 cm (66.9 in) x 116 cm (45.6 in). It is nearly 2 meters (6 feet) in height. It is massive in comparison to other traditional portable icons. At the bottom of the paintingJohn of Patmos
John of Patmos (also called John the Revelator, John the Divine, John the Theologian) is the name traditionally given to the author of the Book of Revelation. The text of Revelation states that John was on Patmos, a Greek island where, according ...
is sleeping in a cave. The Apostle is wearing a red and green toga. The painter exhibits a clear definition of lines and folds of fabric. The grooves and curvature of the toga are clearly evident. It is also apparent that he is sleeping on rocks. The rocks show clear definition and form. The apostle is in a cave.
Above the mysterious sleeping apostle, John of Patmos
John of Patmos (also called John the Revelator, John the Divine, John the Theologian) is the name traditionally given to the author of the Book of Revelation. The text of Revelation states that John was on Patmos, a Greek island where, according ...
is in a glorious scene depicting his revelation. Seven candles and seven angles represent the seven cities: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each candlestick
A candlestick is a device used to hold a candle in place. Candlesticks have a cup or a spike ("pricket") or both to keep the candle in place. Candlesticks are less frequently called "candleholders".
Before the proliferation of electricity, candl ...
is designed with careful detail and attention. They are all made of gold and reminiscent of 16th century Venetian candlestick
A candlestick is a device used to hold a candle in place. Candlesticks have a cup or a spike ("pricket") or both to keep the candle in place. Candlesticks are less frequently called "candleholders".
Before the proliferation of electricity, candl ...
s. Atop each candle, a torch-like flame represents the holy light.
Each angel holds a building in its grasp depicting each city. The apostle is floating above the world in a spiritual Aura
Aura most commonly refers to:
* Aura (paranormal), a field of luminous multicolored radiation around a person or object
* Aura (symptom), a symptom experienced before a migraine or seizure
Aura may also refer to:
Places Extraterrestrial
* 1488 ...
propped up by angles. Thomas Bathas
Thomas Bathas ( el, Θωμάς Μπαθάς, 1554 – 1599; also known as Tomios or Tomio, Batta Tornio) was a Greek painter, educator, and Vikar. He employed the maniera greca in some of his work but he also broke from tradition by employi ...
continues to paint the rocks of the cave in the upper portion of the massive panel creating the illusion that the apostle is in a cave. There are seven stars in the apostle's right hand. In his left hand, he holds a set of keys often known as the Keys of Heaven
The Keys of Heaven, also called Saint Peter's keys, refers to the metaphorical keys of the office of Saint Peter, the keys of Heaven, or the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. It is explicitly referenced in the Bible in Matthew 16:19.
In Catholicis ...
. Saint Peter
Saint Peter; he, שמעון בר יונה, Šimʿōn bar Yōnāh; ar, سِمعَان بُطرُس, translit=Simʿa̅n Buṭrus; grc-gre, Πέτρος, Petros; cop, Ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ, Petros; lat, Petrus; ar, شمعون الصفـا, Sham'un ...
is often depicted holding the two keys in his left hand. Behind the keys is a sword.
The gilded background strongly outlines the painted shapes. The figures are formed out of abstract but expressive contours. Thomas Bathas
Thomas Bathas ( el, Θωμάς Μπαθάς, 1554 – 1599; also known as Tomios or Tomio, Batta Tornio) was a Greek painter, educator, and Vikar. He employed the maniera greca in some of his work but he also broke from tradition by employi ...
clearly identifies various body parts or items of clothing while creating beautiful patterns. He clearly uses striations to suggest folds of fabric. The bright red, pink, white, and green colors suggest the artist implemented the cangiante
According to the theory of the art historian Marcia B. Hall, which has gained considerable acceptance, ''cangiante'' is one of the canonical painting modes of the Renaissance; i.e. one of the four modes of painting colours available to Italian Hig ...
style.
The image became popular in the media. It has been featured in countless films, books, newspaper articles, and magazines. It has become an icon representing the book of revelation. In 1995, the Hellenic Republic featured the iconic image on a stamp that circulated throughout the country. It is one of the most common representations of the Revelation of John the Evangelist in the world.
See also
* Michael PrevelisReferences