Just a little triptych please? No rush.
Tryptic of Blessed Virgin Enthroned with the Christ Child surrounded by Archangels Michael and Raphael
I’m ‘Number 5’ in a family of six and we straddle the globe from USA to Australia with me here in the UK. We all ask each other favours every now and then, but I think this has to be the slowest request ever to turn around for my dear sister Anne! It was nine years ago that she asked me to paint her a ‘little triptych’ – I was still a brunette back then!
Aidan has suggested that if you are asked to paint an icon that you know nothing about – just go ahead and do it, and learn as you go. This is what has happened here. Saying yes to this request has drawn me into the world of icons, leaving the day job behind. I was relieved when Aidan accepted that these could be part of my set diploma pieces of standing and seated figures, which has meant that I have been able to learn as I go with Aidan’s guidance.
Right to left: Dylan Hartley, Simon Morris, Ronnie Cruwys
Today I went to collect the finished icon from the workshop where Dylan Hartley made the oak boards, hand-carved the kivotos and gessoed it for me and where Simon Morris of Smith York Fine Art Printers has photo-scanned it, spending hours getting the studio lighting just right so as to reduce the glare from the gilding. Simon has scanned all the icons on this website as well as the printing for my street drawings over at Drawing the Street.
I have written a little about this triptych before in an earlier post when I began work on it here and as I began to paint here. Further notes on painting the garments here.
Blessed Mother and Christ Child
As always with a finished icon, you see so many places which could do with revisiting. Faces and hands are my weak spots. Feet too, but the slippers help!
The icon will be up in the PSTA Diploma Show in London next week, then will be part of the ‘Spirit Matters’ exhibition in Cornelissen’s window from 25th October to 16th November. From there it will make its way to Australia where it will be part of Anne’s prayer corner in her home. We all have a lot to be thankful for but especially me with such a loving and supportive family and this sister in particular – I’m so glad she asked!
Thanks for reading,
Ronnie
Sisters!
Icon Diploma Student 
6 Responses to “Just a little triptych please? No rush.”
Ronnie, your triptych is stunning. I was especially interested to learn from your earlier post that the Archangel Raphael is known as “The Shining One Who Heals,” since I’m writing about a healing garden. He looks very thoughtful in your icon painting.
Amazing work lead with Passion from the heart.
Claire Dixon
Thank you Claire 😊
Dear Madam, Very beautiful triptych ! Could you please tell me where you have found the original picture of the enthroned Virgin. Is it in Chora church ? Best regard
Hello Laurent,
Thank you for your kind comment. The original image is by Fr Zenon. If you google ‘Fr Zenon icon Virgin enthroned’ you should see the image pop up. Warmest wishes
Ronnie
Thank you for your answer. Best regards, Laurent