Deesis from Dormition Cathedral in Moscow 1200

This Deesis, found in Moscow’s Dormition Cathedral, was created by Orthodox icon makers. It is made with tempera paint on wood. You can see the texture of the wood coming through the paint layers, evidence of the handmade panel. The tempera is built up with multiple, thin, translucent layers of color, a time-intensive process that creates a luminous effect. The gold leaf background also demanded skillful work, requiring the careful application of delicate metal. Icons like this weren’t just paintings, they were also objects of veneration that connected the viewer to the divine. The choice of materials and techniques, from the wood panel to the gold leaf, all contributed to its spiritual aura. Considering this Deesis through the lens of craft and materiality allows us to appreciate the labor, skill, and cultural context embedded within the work.