Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki with scenes from his life
Iconography: Demetreus of Thessaloniki, the Great Martyr, Hagiographic Cycles of Demetrius of Thessaloniki
Date: XVI century. Early 16th century.
Origin: From the church commemorating the Intercession in the village of Gumenets earlier with the antetemple commemorating great martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki.
Material: Wood, canvas, levkas, tempera
Dimensions: height 86 cm, width 64,5 cm
In the centerpiece is shown the full-length depiction of Demetrius of Thessaloniki in the armor – the coat of mail decorated with the patterns with the baldric on the chest, the mantle fluttering behind him and with the shield. His right hand is holding a sword raised high.
Border scenes:
1. Emperor Maximianus appoints St. Demetrius a proconsul of Thessaloniki
2. St. Demetrius preaches christianity
3. Demetrius being interrogated by emperor Maximianus
4. St. Demetrius is being put into the dungeon
5. St. Demetrius favors Nestor’s duel
6. Nestor’s duel with giant Lyaeus
7. Nestor throws Lyaeus onto the sharp spears
8. Decapitation of Nestor
9. St. Demetrius is slaughtered in the dungeon
10. The entombment of great martyr Demetrius
11. The angels talk to great martyr Demetrius raised from the dead
12. St. Demetrius conquers the enemies of Thessaloniki
13. Eparch Leontius crosses the river
14. Great martyr Demetrius slays tsar Kalojan
Inv. № И-529. © State Rostov-Yaroslavl Architecture and Art Museum-Reserve
Bibliography: Вахрина В.И. Иконы Ростова Великого. М., 2006. № 15. С. 92.
General view