Byzantine Icons

Byzantine icons are religious images created in the Byzantine Empire, primarily between the 4th and 15th centuries. These paintings, usually depicting Jesus, Mary, saints, and biblical events, serve as windows to the divine, inviting prayer and contemplation. They are characterized by their use of vibrant colors, gold backgrounds, and stylized figures that convey spiritual truths rather than realistic representations. Icons adhere to specific artistic guidelines and hold significant religious importance in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, being used in worship and personal devotion to connect believers with the sacred.