Italian Master of 16 Century,,   Italian Master of 16 Century, Saint Spyridon and Saint Macarius of Egypt

Dimensions
each 39 x 54 cm, Oil on wood

Saint Spyridon is one of the most revered saints in the Orthodox Church; he is particularly revered in Corfu, of which he is the patron saint. Although the saint is often represented dressed as a bishop with homophorus, in the present painting he is instead dressed in a simple brown habit. He rests his arm on the Gospel, while with the other hand he holds a rosary. Next to him there is a rabbit and his refuge: a hut built of branches, wood and foliage. Saint Macarius the Great (or Makarios) was from Egypt. He struggled in the deserts near Skete in Thebaid, northern Egypt. Next to him there is a leopard. The two saints are aesthetically very similar: they have a long thick white beard and a brown tunic. In the background, the silvery water curves around the islands and winds into the distance. The river bank is covered with green grass and brown leaves. Pale blue mountains rise along the water's edge beyond the city. The sky becomes more intense from light yellow along the horizon to icy blue above.
Dimensions
each 39 x 54 cm, Oil on wood