Saints Paul, James the Elder, Stephen, Lawrence, Martin of Tours, Leonard of Limoges 1195

This 12th-century icon, created by Orthodox Icon painters, features a composition of seven saints: Paul, James the Elder, Stephen, Lawrence, Martin of Tours, Leonard of Limoges, and another saint, possibly a bishop, at the bottom center. The icon uses a traditional Byzantine style, characterized by its stylized figures, flatness of space, and use of gold backgrounds, all conveying a sense of spirituality and reverence. The composition features a hierarchical scale, with the most important figures positioned higher in the icon. The saints are identifiable through their attributes, such as Paul's sword and James the Elder's staff. This icon would have been a devotional object intended to inspire piety and remind viewers of the virtues embodied by these saintly figures.