Presentation of Mother Mary in the Temple 1320

This image of the Presentation of Mother Mary in the Temple was created on Mount Athos, Greece, by Orthodox Icons using the traditional medium of egg tempera on wood panel. The material itself is key to understanding the image. Unlike oil paint, which builds up a thick, glossy surface, egg tempera produces a more matte and luminous effect. This encourages close viewing, inviting you to appreciate the subtle details. The controlled, linear style is a direct result of the way tempera must be applied: layer upon layer, in fine strokes. Gilding with gold leaf, another common element in icons, enhances the sense of divine light emanating from the figures. Icons like these are not simply paintings, but are seen as spiritual windows into the divine. The very labor involved in their making – the careful mixing of pigments, the precise application of paint, the demanding process of gilding – becomes a form of prayer. The image's devotional function thus elevates the status of the craft and the craftsman.