Is this a Byzantine icon?

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Someone posted this on a Facebook page that I follow, and I think it’s beautiful. Is this a Byzantine icon? If so (or even if not), can you tell me anything about it (artist, where to get a copy, etc.)?

Thank you.

 
I’m not seeing this image in a web-search of images. I think it is a composite by a modern artist, done in an Eastern Christian style.

I see Eastern Christian images of Mary and Jesus alone together in this pose with Jesus wearing that shirt, but Jesus has an orange outer robe, Mary is wearing a red outer robe, and they’re facing the opposite way.

I also see Eastern Christian Holy Family images, but the poses are completely different and Jesus is several years older.

So, even though it’s a nice picture, I don’t think it’s a well-known icon.
 
decjlc said:
Someone posted this on a Facebook page that I follow, and I think it’s beautiful. Is this a Byzantine icon? If so (or even if not), can you tell me anything about it (artist, where to get a copy, etc.)?

Thank you.
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It is a Holy Family Icon, Byzantine style. There are many for sale.

IC XC = Jesus Christ

ІѠСИФ = Joseph

MP OY (with bars) are the Greek abbreviation for Meter Theou or Mother of God.
 
Thanks, everyone. I have found other icons of the Holy Family for sale, but I like this one in particular. 🙂 I may have to settle for a substitute!
 
Someplace I read that a true icon will not show physical contact between Joseph and Jesus since that would imply a physical fatherhood. I am not sure of the validity of that and would appreciate any corrections. Thanks - Joe
 
decjlc said:
Someone posted this on a Facebook page that I follow, and I think it’s beautiful. Is this a Byzantine icon? If so (or even if not), can you tell me anything about it (artist, where to get a copy, etc.)?

Thank you.
Click to expand...
Here it is at the Catholics for the Common Good website, on the cover of a Novena to the Holy Family.

ccgaction.org/images/holyfamilyicon2.jpg

Perhaps you could email them and ask for information about where to find a copy.
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ccgaction.org/spiritual_life/prayer/novena-holyfamily2011-12-21
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decjlc said:
Someone posted this on a Facebook page that I follow, and I think it’s beautiful. Is this a Byzantine icon? If so (or even if not), can you tell me anything about it (artist, where to get a copy, etc.)?

Thank you.
Click to expand...
The only image of Joseph the Betrothed in traditional icons that I am aware of is in the icon of the Nativity of our Lord. He usually appears in the lower left of the icon.
 
Vico said:
http://reigninggifts.com/Holy Family Icon93GPC056.JPG
Example of one for sale:
reigninggifts.com/GreekCrossIcon.htm
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This one is the more accurate of the two. Joseph is a much older man, and the colours of Mary’s robes follow the canons for iconography. The first icon with the outer garment being blue and the inner garment red is what is used for Christ as an adult, to show His divinity clothed in our humanity. Mary should be depicted with her humanity clothed in God’s divinity, red over blue.
 
There are many regional styles of Byzantine icon-- This one, because it reverses the traditonal colors of Mary’s robes, intriguingly suggests that it might be from one of the Uniate rites (in union with Rome, not Greek or Russian Orthodox).

Many countries have identifiable national styles, and the shape of the eyes ion this one reminds me of Coptic (Egyptian) icons; --but it might be Romanian or even Macedonian. Look up the “Uniate” rites, see what countries they cover, and then look up some examples of those countries icons; and you might be able to narrow down the origin of this icon’s cultural influence. Good luck; you will have educational fun doing this. 👍
 
Virgins at the time of Christ wore a red garment, and Palestine mothers wear a blue mantel. The Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Venerated in the Church of St. Alphonsus, Rome is of this scheme, same as the Holy Family Icon.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
Joe_Kelley said:
Someplace I read that a true icon will not show physical contact between Joseph and Jesus since that would imply a physical fatherhood. I am not sure of the validity of that and would appreciate any corrections. Thanks - Joe
Click to expand...
This is what I have always been told, for traditional iconography. Joseph was not involved in the miracle of the Incarnation of the Son of God. It’s not in the traditional vocabulary of iconography to depict the holy family the way this icon from OP shows them.
 
Examples of St. Joseph are found in icons of the Flight into Egypt.
 
“Virgins at the time of Christ wore a red garment, and Palestine mothers wear a blue mantel. The Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Venerated in the Church of St. Alphonsus, Rome is of this scheme, same as the Holy Family Icon.”

:confused: This is interesting; I’ve never heard it before. Where did you read this? Can you provide a link where I could read more ? The “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” icon pictured above was originally painted in Crete in the early 15th century, and stolen from Crete by a merchant about 1499.
 
5Loaves said:
This is what I have always been told, for traditional iconography. Joseph was not involved in the miracle of the Incarnation of the Son of God. It’s not in the traditional vocabulary of iconography to depict the holy family the way this icon from OP shows them.
Click to expand...
Thanks - Joe K.
 
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