A new devotional icon, created by an Edinburgh artist, has taken pride of place in the north-east’s most sacred Roman Catholic church.
St Mary’s Cathedral in Aberdeen commissioned the icon of the merciful Christ from an acclaimed young artist Monika Walendzsoiak.
Bishop Hugh Gilbert, of the Diocese of Aberdeen, is convinced that the icon conforms to the classical canons of iconography, where the image is more than just “art for art’s sake”.
It was transformed from an original recreation of “Anastasis” to an icon of Christ that the church believes clearly communicates the mercy of Jesus’ resurrection.
Ms Walendzsoiak said she derived inspiration from the Renaissance to make the traditional image “bright and clear”.
She added: “Egg tempera was used, which was indispensable in medieval and early Renaissance art and became one of the traditional mediums used in iconography and which has been neglected for centuries.
“I wanted it to be as bright and clear as possible, with a dominant figure of Christ surrounded by divine, golden light.
“Speaking in terms of artistic qualities, I think that gold is, paradoxically, one of the simpler and unpretentious materials we can use in art.
“Eliminating all unnecessary details and minimalising such elements as rays of light coming from Christ’s heart was supposed to help in paying particular attention to Christ’s face and making easier a personal and prayerful relationship with him.”
Bishop Gilbert said: “I have not been disappointed. One whole side of the cathedral has been transfigured by the icon’s presence.”