A fresco of the Virgin Mary, dating from before Iconoclasm (726-842 AD) and which is considered rare, was recently discovered in a Byzantine church in Naxos.
The fresco was found behind layers of lime that covered it. The revelation was made by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, while in his Facebook post from August 15th 2024, the Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, Demetrios Athanasoulis, notes:
"Naxos has the privilege of preserving frescoes of unique importance, which were created before the great period of Iconoclasm. A typical example of this rare and moving art is the Virgin Mary in the photograph that has just been brought to light by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, behind the layers of lime that covered her. Many years to the celebrants! Happy August 15th everyone!"
The fresco is of a larger set of pre-Iconoclastic frescoes that were discovered at the Monastery of Panagia Drosiani, which dates back to the 6th century.
The fresco was found behind layers of lime that covered it. The revelation was made by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, while in his Facebook post from August 15th 2024, the Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, Demetrios Athanasoulis, notes:
"Naxos has the privilege of preserving frescoes of unique importance, which were created before the great period of Iconoclasm. A typical example of this rare and moving art is the Virgin Mary in the photograph that has just been brought to light by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, behind the layers of lime that covered her. Many years to the celebrants! Happy August 15th everyone!"
The fresco is of a larger set of pre-Iconoclastic frescoes that were discovered at the Monastery of Panagia Drosiani, which dates back to the 6th century.
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