2026 Cyprus Archangel

Description

Cyprus Archangel: A UNESCO Masterpiece in Egg Tempera

Description

Step into the artistic world of medieval Cyprus by recreating one of the island’s most extraordinary Byzantine treasures.

This specialty course is inspired by the magnificent archangel medallion in the Church of Panagia tou Arakos, an ancient Byzantine church in Cyprus and a highlight of the Classical Iconography Institute’s 2026 Divine Light Sacred Art Pilgrimage.

Painted in 1192 by the renowned master iconographer Theodoros Apsevdis, this breathtaking fresco helped earn the church its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Centre World Heritage Site. The archangel forms part of the celestial ring of angels encircling the majestic image of Christ Pantocrator at the summit of the dome. Clothed in an imperial jeweled tunic, the angel inclines in humble reverence while presenting a translucent orb marked with the Cross—a powerful symbol of Christ’s sovereignty over all creation.

Taught by Laurie Muench, whose firsthand experience with this beautiful fresco and extensive iconography painting experience bring this tradition to life; this course offers students a rare opportunity to explore one of the distinctive regional schools of Byzantine painting.

Unlike the Russian-inspired techniques taught in our foundational courses, the Cypriot tradition employs a unique approach to building sankir, shadows, and flesh tones. Students will discover these historic methods while working with specialty pigments imported from Cyprus and painting on a custom round icon board that faithfully echoes the original medallion in the church dome.

This class meets for an extended time, 3 hours every Tuesday, to finish your angel in time for Christmas.

What Makes This Course Unique

Most iconography instruction follows either the Russian or Greek tradition. This course offers the rare opportunity to study a distinct regional school whose color palette, modeling techniques, and aesthetic reflect the artistic flowering of medieval Cyprus.

What You’ll Learn

Students will:

• Explore the distinctive painting techniques of the Cypriot Byzantine tradition.
• Learn a regional approach to building sankir, shadows, and flesh tones.
• Paint a graceful three-quarter angelic face.
• Develop confidence painting luminous flesh using traditional egg tempera.
• Learn the symbolism and theology of angels in Byzantine iconography.
• Paint on a custom circular icon board modeled after the original dome medallion.
• Work with specialty pigments imported from Cyprus.

Class Size:

• Limited to 10 students

Prerequisites: 

• Levels 1, 2, 3 (3 icons)

Advanced Option:

Paint the angel hair and embellished Byzantine garment as shown with written instructions. (These techniques will not be covered in this class to accommodate the widest range of students in (8) 3-hour classes.) Advanced students will receive a detailed cartoon, color photo from which to work plus written instructions.

Intermediate Option:

Paint the Cyprus Archangel with simplified hair and garment to enable completion in (8) 3-hour classes. Optional advanced instructions for detail will be provided for independent work.

Homework:

Because this is an accelerated specialty course, weekly homework is required. The extended three-hour class sessions, combined with guided work at home, are designed to help students complete their icon before Christmas.

Please note the 30 minute earlier starting time.

Meeting Times:

• Class meets for 3 hours, every Tuesday evening from 5:30pm-8:30pm.

Class Meeting Dates:

• October 20, 27
• November 3, 10, 17
• December 1, 8, 15

Tuition:

• $475 + $50 supply fee for specialty icon board & pigment, total $525