Esteemed fellow members,
For an impending art project, might anyone either
explain to me, or direct me to existing literature (in English or Spanish, if
possible) explaining, the reason(s) that St. George appears to be among the most
popular of saints in Ethiopian icon imagery?
In reading the book, "African Zion: the Sacred Art
of Ethiopia" (by M. Heldman; Yale Univ Press, 1993), I note (on page 97)
that, "Mary is accompanied by Saint George, her companion in iconic
programs since the fifteenth century." But nothing, regrettably, tells me
either why this is, or how it came to transpass at that time.
I recognize the geographic proximity to the scene of
his spuriously dragony battle, but I wonder if there are other (historical?)
reasons.
I notice some icons tend to group
equestrian saints (i don't think i have observed this in
Western religious painting), but even so, oftimes St. George appears alone, or
in diptychs with the Virgin and Child.
His relative prevalence leads me to suspect he has special appeal/meaning
for Ethiopia. What is it?
Many thanks in advance.
jmichael
