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Betsy Porter
Art and Iconography
ICONS OF HEBREW PROPHETS AND HEROES
Art and Iconography
ICONS OF HEBREW PROPHETS AND HEROES
THE HEBREW PROPHETS AND HEROES
In The Orthodox Christian churches, an entire row of icons of the prophets typically
graces the iconostasis or icon screen. Each prophets is depicted holding a scroll on
which his words are inscribed.
The Hebrew prophets, especially Elijah and Moses, are held in very high esteem for
their leadership and vision, for their courageous actions, and for keeping the word of
God alive under difficult circumstances. They are considered to have foreseen the
coming of Christ.
Hebrew scriptures tell of many other heroes and heroines who advanced the welfare
of their people and the recognition of their God. Their stories have enriched our art
and literature, and continue to stimulate our imaginations.
In The Orthodox Christian churches, an entire row of icons of the prophets typically
graces the iconostasis or icon screen. Each prophets is depicted holding a scroll on
which his words are inscribed.
The Hebrew prophets, especially Elijah and Moses, are held in very high esteem for
their leadership and vision, for their courageous actions, and for keeping the word of
God alive under difficult circumstances. They are considered to have foreseen the
coming of Christ.
Hebrew scriptures tell of many other heroes and heroines who advanced the welfare
of their people and the recognition of their God. Their stories have enriched our art
and literature, and continue to stimulate our imaginations.
THE PROPHET ELIJAH IN THE WILDERNESS,
FED BY A RAVEN
Egg tempera and gold leaf on sculpted panel, 11 x 14 inches, 2002
Based on an icon in the Byzantine Museum, Athens
Photograph by David Elliott
Early in his career, Elijah angered the king with an unfavorable
prophecy (1 Kings 17, 1-7). God directed him to withdraw to the
wilderness, where the ravens would feed him. Here he sits
discouraged and isolated, in front of his cave in a rocky
landscape. We follow his surprise when a raven, normally a
scavenger, actually brings food for him.
The words of the border come from Psalm 62.
FED BY A RAVEN
Egg tempera and gold leaf on sculpted panel, 11 x 14 inches, 2002
Based on an icon in the Byzantine Museum, Athens
Photograph by David Elliott
Early in his career, Elijah angered the king with an unfavorable
prophecy (1 Kings 17, 1-7). God directed him to withdraw to the
wilderness, where the ravens would feed him. Here he sits
discouraged and isolated, in front of his cave in a rocky
landscape. We follow his surprise when a raven, normally a
scavenger, actually brings food for him.
The words of the border come from Psalm 62.
THE PROPHET ELIJAH IS CARRIED
TO HEAVEN IN A CHARIOT OF FIRE!
Egg tempera and gold leaf on panel, 13 x 17 inches, 2007
Photograph by Richard Anderson
The prophet Elijah did not die, but was carried to heaven by a
whirlwind, in a chariot of fire! (2 Kings 2: 1-14) Elijah has
traditionally been expected to re-appear at the end of time.
We see Elijah ascending in a great red circle of flame. His
disciple Elisha holds onto Elijah’s cloak as it falls from him,
bringing with it Elijah’s prophetic power. They have just crossed
the Jordan River, shown in the right foreground.
In the left foreground we see an earlier event; an angel bringing
food and encouragement to the depressed Elijah.
TO HEAVEN IN A CHARIOT OF FIRE!
Egg tempera and gold leaf on panel, 13 x 17 inches, 2007
Photograph by Richard Anderson
The prophet Elijah did not die, but was carried to heaven by a
whirlwind, in a chariot of fire! (2 Kings 2: 1-14) Elijah has
traditionally been expected to re-appear at the end of time.
We see Elijah ascending in a great red circle of flame. His
disciple Elisha holds onto Elijah’s cloak as it falls from him,
bringing with it Elijah’s prophetic power. They have just crossed
the Jordan River, shown in the right foreground.
In the left foreground we see an earlier event; an angel bringing
food and encouragement to the depressed Elijah.
THE PROPHET AMOS
Egg tempera and gold leaf on sculpted board, 9.5 x 12.5 inches, 2005
Photograph by Richard Anderson
Amos was not a professional prophet, but a shepherd who also
tended sycamore trees. But he was a visionary, called to prophesy
justice to the corrupt rulers of Israel – a message which they did not
welcome. He stands as an example of courage and of the will to
justice.
In each corner of this icon is the leaf of a California sycamore, a
common street tree in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Egg tempera and gold leaf on sculpted board, 9.5 x 12.5 inches, 2005
Photograph by Richard Anderson
Amos was not a professional prophet, but a shepherd who also
tended sycamore trees. But he was a visionary, called to prophesy
justice to the corrupt rulers of Israel – a message which they did not
welcome. He stands as an example of courage and of the will to
justice.
In each corner of this icon is the leaf of a California sycamore, a
common street tree in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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QUEEN ESTHER
egg tempera and gold leaf on sculpted board, 2002
When Queen Vashti stood up to her husband, the powerful pagan king
Ahasuhuerus, he divorced her. The teen-aged Esther was selected as
replacement queen - not a very secure position. The king did not know that
Esther was a Hebrew. When Ahasuhuerus came under the influence of a
scheming courtier who wanted to get rid of the Hebrews, Esther cleverly and
courageously managed to persuade the king to change his plans.
Esther, who saved her people from destruction, is celebrated in her own book
of the Bible, and during Purim, her own Jewish holiday.
This icon was painted as a gift for a liberal Jewish friend. She selected the
words of the inscriptions.
egg tempera and gold leaf on sculpted board, 2002
When Queen Vashti stood up to her husband, the powerful pagan king
Ahasuhuerus, he divorced her. The teen-aged Esther was selected as
replacement queen - not a very secure position. The king did not know that
Esther was a Hebrew. When Ahasuhuerus came under the influence of a
scheming courtier who wanted to get rid of the Hebrews, Esther cleverly and
courageously managed to persuade the king to change his plans.
Esther, who saved her people from destruction, is celebrated in her own book
of the Bible, and during Purim, her own Jewish holiday.
This icon was painted as a gift for a liberal Jewish friend. She selected the
words of the inscriptions.
THE PROPHET DANIEL IN THE DEN OF LIONS
Egg tempera and gold leaf on panel, 10 x 15 inches, 2008
Photograph by Richard Anderson
The brilliant young Hebrew Daniel and his friends were relocated by
a conquering king to Babylon, where they served as administrators
and courtiers. Daniel’s ability to interpret the king’s dreams brought
him a major promotion, but also attracted the envy of his Babylonian
colleagues, who repeatedly and unsuccessfully plotted to have him
put to death – usually by taking advantage of Daniel’s unwillingness
to bow down to pagan idols.
The Book of Daniel contains dramatic stories of Daniel’s prophetic
and political gifts and his narrow escapes, including his miraculous
deliverance from death when confined to a den of hungry lions as
punishment for refusing to worship an idol.
Still more stories and variants appear in the 3 apocryphal books
known as The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Jews,
Susannah, and Bel and the Dragon, which at one time were included
in the Book of Daniel.
This icon depicts Daniel’s ordeal as told in the apocryphal book of
Bel and the Dragon. The seven fearsome lions are shown
affectionately licking Daniel rather than biting him.
After six days, an angel carried the prophet Habakkuk “by his hair,
with the speed of the wind” to Babylon with food for Daniel. When
the king came to mourn for Daniel the next morning, he found Daniel
alive and well, and praised God.
As the primary focus of this icon, Daniel is shown at a larger scale
than the other figures.
Egg tempera and gold leaf on panel, 10 x 15 inches, 2008
Photograph by Richard Anderson
The brilliant young Hebrew Daniel and his friends were relocated by
a conquering king to Babylon, where they served as administrators
and courtiers. Daniel’s ability to interpret the king’s dreams brought
him a major promotion, but also attracted the envy of his Babylonian
colleagues, who repeatedly and unsuccessfully plotted to have him
put to death – usually by taking advantage of Daniel’s unwillingness
to bow down to pagan idols.
The Book of Daniel contains dramatic stories of Daniel’s prophetic
and political gifts and his narrow escapes, including his miraculous
deliverance from death when confined to a den of hungry lions as
punishment for refusing to worship an idol.
Still more stories and variants appear in the 3 apocryphal books
known as The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Jews,
Susannah, and Bel and the Dragon, which at one time were included
in the Book of Daniel.
This icon depicts Daniel’s ordeal as told in the apocryphal book of
Bel and the Dragon. The seven fearsome lions are shown
affectionately licking Daniel rather than biting him.
After six days, an angel carried the prophet Habakkuk “by his hair,
with the speed of the wind” to Babylon with food for Daniel. When
the king came to mourn for Daniel the next morning, he found Daniel
alive and well, and praised God.
As the primary focus of this icon, Daniel is shown at a larger scale
than the other figures.
THE PROPHET MOSES
egg tempera and gold leaf on panel, 5 x 6 inches, 2009
egg tempera and gold leaf on panel, 5 x 6 inches, 2009
