The Fourth Day of Creation
by Betsy Porter

Medium: Egg tempera, gold leaf, and shell gold
on shaped sculpted board
Date/Size: 2008 / 11" by 12.5"

The Creator claps and dances the sun, moon, and stars into being!

Although painted using the same traditional methods as for Russian icons, this is not an Orthodox image, but is based on a woodcut from a Venetian Bible, 1511.

Byzantine iconography is a beautiful and contemplative art form. Working with gold leaf and egg tempera in the traditional manner can be slow, but I find it highly rewarding. I also enjoy teaching iconography.

Icons are considered "windows into heaven" — windows through which the uncreated light of God can shine out on us. Gold leaf, which reflects light and does not tarnish, becomes a natural symbol for this divine light. Some icons are additionally illuminated with "shell gold," fine lines of pure gold applied over the paint.