Description

Cyprus Archangel II: 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 Araka, an ancient Byzantine church in Cyprus and a highlight of the Classical Iconography Institute’s 2026 Divine Light Sacred Art Pilgrimage.

The church is one of ten Painted Churches in the Troodos Region collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their exceptional Byzantine wall paintings. Its magnificent fresco cycle, completed in 1192 by the renowned master iconographer Theodoros Apsevdis, is among the finest surviving examples of late Komnenian painting in Cyprus.

The archangel forms part of a celestial ring of angels encircling the majestic image of Christ Pantocrator at the summit of the dome. Clothed in a jeweled imperial 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.

The Institute’s instructor, Laurie Muench, traveled to Cyprus with the pilgrimage and brings firsthand experience of this beautiful fresco, together with extensive experience teaching traditional iconography.

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

What Makes This Course Unique?

Most iconography instruction follows either the Russian or Greek tradition. This specialty course introduces students to the distinctive artistic language of medieval Cyprus, with its characteristic color palette, modeling techniques, and expressive treatment of the human face.

Through prerecorded demonstrations and live individual guidance, students will learn these historic techniques while painting an archangel inspired by the extraordinary frescoes of Panagia tou Araka.

The eight-week hybrid format combines the flexibility of independent study with the structure, accountability, and personal attention necessary to complete a traditional egg tempera icon.

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.

Prerequisites

Completion of Beginning Iconography Levels I, II, and III (three icons), or equivalent experience.

Class Format: Hybrid (On-Demand Instruction + Live Zoom Office Hours)

This course combines weekly prerecorded instructional videos with live, personalized feedback from the instructor.

Weekly Instructional Videos

A new instructional video is released each week and remains available for seven days. Students may watch the demonstration at any time during that period, pausing, replaying, and reviewing techniques as often as needed.

Weekly Homework

Students are required to complete and submit their assigned painting exercises and questions each week, in preparation for their live Zoom session.

Because each lesson builds on the previous week’s work, students must follow the weekly course schedule. Although the videos may be viewed at convenient times, the course is not self-paced.

Live Instructor Office Hours

Tuesdays, 2:00–4:30 PM Pacific Time, via Zoom.

Join Laurie for personalized feedback on your painting, answers to your questions, and guidance on the next steps in creating your icon.

Weekly participation is required to ensure that students receive timely corrections and remain prepared for the next lesson.

Course Duration

Eight instructional weeks. Students are expected to maintain steady progress through the weekly lessons and assignments to complete their icon within the course period.

Choose Your Painting Option

Advanced Option

Paint the archangel with elaborately rendered hair and an embellished Byzantine garment.

Advanced students will receive a detailed cartoon, color reference photograph, and written instructions for completing these additional elements independently. These advanced techniques will not be covered in the weekly instructional videos.

Intermediate Option

Paint the Cyprus Archangel with simplified hair and garment details, following the complete eight-week instructional program.

This option is designed to enable students to finish their icon within the course period. Optional instructions for additional embellishment will also be provided for independent work.

Course Schedule — Spring 2027

Eight Weekly Live Zoom Sessions

• March 2, 9, 16, 30
• April 6, 13, 20, 27

Time: Tuesdays, 2:00–4:30 PM Pacific Time

Spring Break/Holy Week: No live Zoom sessions on March 23

Location: Online via Zoom. The meeting link and course instructions will be provided after registration.

Tuition and Supplies

Course Tuition: $
Specialty Supply Fee: $
Total Course Cost: $

The specialty supply fee includes a custom circular icon board and specialty pigments imported from Cyprus.

Shipping, if required, is additional.

Students should have their standard iconography painting supplies available for independent work at home.  Click here to see the list of standard art supplies that you should have in your studio.