Artwork

St Nicetas the Warrior

St Nicetas the Warrior, by Procope Tchirine, tempera, 1597
St Nicetas the Warrior, by Procope Tchirine, tempera, 1597

St Nicetas the Warrior is a tempera painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Procope Tchirine. It dates from 1597 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.

About this work

Overview

St Nicetas the Warrior is a tempera painting created by Procope Tchirine in 1597, currently housed at the Tretyakov Gallery.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a haloed figure in armor, identified as St Nicetas, dressed in distinctive attire including a yellow tunic, red shorts, and a blue cape.

The painting portrays a haloed figure in armor, identified as St Nicetas, dressed in distinctive attire including a yellow tunic, red shorts, and a blue cape. He holds a sword in his right hand and faces right. A secondary, smaller scene in the upper right corner depicts a woman with a baby, potentially alluding to a biblical or saintly narrative, though its direct relation to St Nicetas is not explicitly clear.

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera, the painting reflects the artist's use of this traditional medium, characterized by its opaque, fast-drying properties. The composition and color palette, including the vibrant yellows, reds, and blues, are typical of the stylistic conventions of late 16th-century religious and portrait painting.

History & Provenance

Created in 1597 by Procope Tchirine, the painting's history prior to its acquisition by the Tretyakov Gallery is not detailed in the provided information. It is known to be part of the gallery's collection.

Context

The painting situates itself within the tradition of depicting saints in armor, common in religious art, symbolizing the struggle between good and evil. The inclusion of a halo emphasizes the subject's sanctity despite his martial appearance.

Legacy

While specific details on the painting's impact or influence are not provided, as a work by Procope Tchirine, it contributes to the understanding of 16th-century artistic practices and the representation of religious figures in that era.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Tretyakov Gallery open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.