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#366090 - 06/29/11 11:19 AM Colors of the pre-natal Christ's garments
Booth Offline
Member

Registered: 02/13/04
Posts: 234
Loc: upstate NY
Hello!

Does anyone know why Christ's garments, when He is in a medallion against the Virgin to show her pregnancy, are frequently all orange, or orange and white?

I've found one reference that the post-Ascension Christ is often shown in all orange to display His glory, but am having no luck verifying that, or discovering why orange is also common in pre-natal icons.

Any help is appreciated.

Booth


Edited by Booth (06/29/11 11:20 AM)
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#366249 - 07/03/11 03:49 AM Re: Colors of the pre-natal Christ's garments [Re: Booth]
chaldobyzantine Offline
Member

Registered: 07/13/10
Posts: 51
Loc: USA
Your question brought up a good point. I never wondered about that before, but it did intrigue me to look it up.

The best explanation I could find is this:

Quote:
The three primary colors red, yellow and blue dominate the composition but two secondary colors, orange and green, lend contrast and emphasize the Christ Child. Green is the opposite color from red on the color wheel; orange is opposite blue. The green color on the Child’s cloak is as the red color is on the Mother’s, and the orange of the Child’s tunic is as the Blue is on Mary’s.


http://cleansingfiredor.com/2010/07/kyriotissa-icon-in-national-gallery/

And in icons of the Resurrection and Ascension:
Quote:
Christ is dressed in a garment of white, orange or sometimes even dark hews of blue, or brown, but with gold highlights emanating light from His transfigured body, showing that He is the Light of the world.


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2710464/posts
http://cleansingfiredor.com/2011/06/icons-of-the-great-feasts-the-ascension/

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#366253 - 07/03/11 11:37 AM Re: Colors of the pre-natal Christ's garments [Re: chaldobyzantine]
Booth Offline
Member

Registered: 02/13/04
Posts: 234
Loc: upstate NY
That is extremely helpful, thank you!

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#367080 - 07/22/11 08:54 PM Re: Colors of the pre-natal Christ's garments [Re: chaldobyzantine]
Booth Offline
Member

Registered: 02/13/04
Posts: 234
Loc: upstate NY
Just a note here ...

I ran into an icon of the Mystical Supper that uses orange and green robes, but for Judas.

Presumably, the icon is using the color logic you mention in a different way, to emphasize the moral contrast between Christ and Judas.

The latter's robes are of a more dark and muddy orange and green, though, compared to the resplendence of those colors when used for Christ.

Pretty interesting, wanted to share ...


Edited by Booth (07/22/11 08:55 PM)
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