Christ the Vine (Angelo)

Christ the Vine
Greek: Ο Χριστός η Άμπελος,
Italian: Cristo Vera Vite
ArtistAngelos Akotantos
Yearc. 1425 - 1457
Mediumtempera on wood
MovementCretan School
SubjectJesus Christ, nine original apostles with Paul the Evangelist, Luke the Evangelist and Mark the Evangelist
Dimensions77 cm × 79 cm (30.3 in × 31.1 in)
LocationMonastery of the Virgin Hodegetria, Heraklion, Crete
OwnerMonastery of the Virgin Hodegetria

Christ the Vine is a tempera painting created by Greek painter Angelos. Angelos was active from 1425 to 1457. He was a teacher and protopsaltis (first chanter). His students included some of the most famous painters of the early Cretan Renaissance. Andreas Pavias and Andreas Ritzos were his students and were heavily influenced by his style. Forty-nine of his works survived. Angelo’s Christ the Vine was one of his most important works.[1][2]

Christ the Vine features twelve figures from the new testament. The work commemorates the evangelists and their important work. Paul the Evangelist, Luke the Evangelist, and Mark the Evangelist are the most important figures on the vine because they were not members of the twelve original apostles. The evangelists were equally important within ecclesiastical circles. This work reflects the significance of the historical figures. His followers during the Apostolic Age are often referred to as the evdomikonta (εβδομήκοντα). People often assume because there are twelve figures on the vine surrounding Christ that the original apostles were represented.[3]

Christ the Vine is associated with the parable or allegory of the True Vine. It is referenced heavily in John 15:1–17. Jesus refers to his followers as branches of himself. The work is a pictorial representation of the parable of the True Vine. The theme was copied by countless painters. Angelo’s paintings were the earliest versions. They are the most important paintings of the early Cretan Renaissance. Three versions exist all three are in Heraklion one is at the Vrontisi Monastery in Heraklion.[4] The second portable icon is located at Iera Moni Panagias Exakoustis, Ierapetra, Crete close to Malles.[5] This version is signed by the artist. It is located at the Monastery of the Virgin Hodegetria, in Heraklion, Crete.[6][7]

  1. ^ Drakopoulou, Evgenia (2010). Έλληνες Ζωγράφοι μετά την Άλωση (1450–1830). Τόμος 3: Αβέρκιος - Ιωσήφ [Greek Painters after the Fall of Constantinople (1450–1830). Volume 3: Averkios - Joseph]. Athens, Greece: Center for Modern Greek Studies, National Research Foundation. p. 139. ISBN 978-960-7916-94-5.
  2. ^ Mantas, Apostolos G. (2003). The Iconographical Subject Christ the Vine in Byzantine and Post-byzantine Art (Tomos Kappa Delta). Athens, Greece: Deltion of the Christian Archaeological Society. pp. 347–350.
  3. ^ Eugenia Drakopoulou (January 8, 2022). "Christ the Vine". Institute for Neohellenic Research. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  4. ^ Eugenia Drakopoulou (January 8, 2022). "Christ the Vine Vrontisiou Monastery". OMNIA Institute for Historical Research (IIE / NHRF). Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  5. ^ Eugenia Drakopoulou (January 8, 2022). "Christ the Vine Ierapetra Malles". OMNIA Institute for Historical Research (IIE / NHRF). Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  6. ^ Eugenia Drakopoulou (January 8, 2022). "Christ the Vine Irakleio Odigitria Monastery". OMNIA Institute for Historical Research (IIE / NHRF). Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  7. ^ Richardson, Carol M. (2007). Locating Renaissance Art. London, UK: Yale University Press. p. 182. ISBN 9780300121889.