Artwork
Sf. Apostol Simon
Sf. Apostol Simon is an unspecified painting by Toma Poienaru. It is held in the collection of the Alba Iulia Orthodox Archdiocese. The work depicts a bearded figure dressed in a red garment over a blue underlayer, positioned between two red columns.
About this work
Overview
The work depicts a bearded figure dressed in a red garment over a blue underlayer, positioned between two red columns. He raises his right hand slightly while holding a book in his left, set against a dark blue background. Above his head the name "Simon" appears in an archaic script, and a small, possibly kneeling figure is visible at the lower edge of the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is identified as Saint Simon the Apostle, suggested by the inscription of his name and the presence of a book, a common attribute for apostles denoting teaching or gospel authorship. The calm expression and modest gesture convey a contemplative, reverent demeanor typical of devotional portraiture.
Technique & Style
The painting employs flat areas of color with minimal shading, creating a stylized, two‑dimensional effect. The use of bold reds and blues, along with the stark contrast against the dark background, emphasizes the figure’s outline and the architectural elements framing him.
History & Provenance
No specific provenance details are provided for the image, and the medium is listed simply as "IMAGE," indicating that the work may exist primarily in a digital or reproduced form rather than as an original oil or tempera painting.
Context
The composition reflects a conventional iconographic format for saintly portraits, where the figure is isolated against a plain backdrop, framed by architectural motifs, and accompanied by textual identification. Such arrangements were common in liturgical settings and devotional panels.
Artist & collection
Artist
Toma Poienaru painted Christian religious scenes at a time when drawing and painting on paper were common for devotional prints.
