Painting of two monastic men

Unknown

5th–6th century · Linen, paint · Medieval Art

This late-antique painting on linen depicts two men standing next to a column. While we do not know the identities of the men, the eta-symbol on their clothing and their nimbus suggest that they were Christian holy men, perhaps martyrs or monks. Stylistically, the textile belongs to a late-antique painting tradition that evolves in the classical world and continues from late antiquity into the early Byzantine era.

Artist

Unknown

Date

5th–6th century

Medium

Linen, paint

Culture

Byzantine

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Bequest of Nanette B. Kelekian, 2020