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James the Just

Icon, Apostle James the Just, tempera and gold on wood.

Icon paintings in the Byzantine and Russian tradition have different objective than traditional western paintings. An icon painter is not creating a unique and personal expression, they are said to be revealing the icon rather than creating it. Icon art observes very particular rules of composition and color, which are designed to reinforce the theological message. Much of the symbolism was put in place in the 4th century. The inscriptions are necessary elements of the icon, they express the prototype as well as the image itself.
James

Relating to the Byzantine empire, which ruled the Eastern Mediterranean from the fifth century CE to 1453; its capital was Byzantium (modern Istanbul).

Short written texts, generally inscribed on stone or clay and frequently recording an event or dedicating an object.

Short written texts, generally inscribed on stone or clay and frequently recording an event or dedicating an object.

Relating to thought about the nature and behavior of God.

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