Female Corporeality and Religion 2023
Online Art Exhibition
Healing of the Haemorrhaging Woman
Nadiia Karvatska, Mariia Pompa, Lidiia Yakobchuk
Original work inspired by Ukrainian medieval icon painting
Board, levkas, egg tempera, gilding, 2017
56 x 36 cm
Not For Sale
Description
This significant miracle of Jesus is mentioned in all the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48). It took place before the raising of Jairus' daughter. The authors of the icon tried to convey both the universal and personal aspects of this event. The figurative language of Eastern Christian art is not particularly inclined towards subjectivization and psychologization, however, the iconographers intentionally highlight only two figures – Jesus and the woman. Other people are presented simply as a "crowd." This emphasis helps to highlight their interpersonal encounter and to draw attention to the inner world of the woman who, based on a particular interpretation of biblical texts may have been considered "unclean" by some because of her physical illness.
The figure of Jesus is accentuated even more strongly. He is represented dressed in a white garment, the colour that during his transfiguration on the mount symbolized divine glory, and that is not typical for the iconography of the events of his earthly life. It places a strong emphasis on him as the Incarnate God, and his garment as a physical ‘channel’ of his healing power. It also allows in this particular healing miracle, a universal significance to be seen. It is conveyed by the position of the woman’s body and the colour of her dress. She is bent towards Jesus in a gesture of faith and devotion; the fiery red colour she is enveloped in, is the same as the colour that symbolized God's nature in the visions of the prophets. The image conveys the reality of the healing power of the Incarnate Logos descending on the human being through her faith and persistence. (ST)
Nadiia Karvatska, Mariia Pompa, Lidiia Yakobchuk
Nadiia Karvatska (b. 1971), Mariia Pompa (b. 1971), and Lidiia Yakobchuk (b. 1988) are all icon painters. They received their specialized education at the Radruzh Icon Painting School. Their collaboration began during the creation of the sacred interior of the Church and Chapel at the Martins Brunn Private Palliative Center in Merano, Tyrol, Italy. The icon was created as part of a competition for the aforementioned project.
