Dormition of Virgin_Mary 1699

Ivan Rutkovych created this icon of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, using egg tempera on wood, around the turn of the 18th century. The composition is divided into distinct registers, each densely populated with figures. Above, a golden sky radiates light, framing a host of figures watching over the scene. Below, the Virgin Mary lies in state, surrounded by mourners. The artist's use of line is precise, defining each figure with clarity. A semiotic reading reveals halos as signs of divinity, the arrangement of figures symbolizing the heavenly host, and the architectural backdrop suggesting the sacred space. Rutkovych's icon destabilizes traditional Byzantine forms through its lively characterization and narrative complexity. The flattening of perspective and stylized figures challenge fixed notions of representation, inviting us to reflect on the interplay between the earthly and the divine.