Saint Arethas 950

This striking tile of Saint Arethas was made by Orthodox Icon painters using ceramic and paint. The tile, with its ochre background and dark green border, exemplifies the rich history of painted ceramics within religious art. The process begins with the careful selection and preparation of clay, molded and fired to create a durable surface. After firing, the tile is ready for painting, which requires the skillful application of pigments to create intricate details. Look closely at the lines of Saint Arethas’ face and beard. The ceramic format is important here: unlike a fresco or tempera painting, this is an object that could be bought and sold. So, while this image has a profound spiritual meaning, it’s also a testament to a thriving tradition of artistic labor, and a system by which that labor was distributed in society. We can appreciate it both for its content, and for its contribution to a wider economic picture.