Although
the Anabaptist tradition has never identified “saints,” several key
16th-century figures have inspired contemporary Mennonites, Hutterites,
and Amish – as well as others – to live lives of faithfulness,
compassion, and service. We’re pleased to offer several limited edition
sets of Anabaptist Images, a unique series of hand-painted icons we
developed beginning in 2004. A portion of every sale goes to support
the Historical Committee of Mennonite Church USA, whether purchased
from this site or from the Historical Committee’s site
(www.goshen.edu.mcarchives).
Already
available in limited editions are icons of Dirk Willems, who has long
captured the imagination of readers of Martyrs Mirror, a 17th-century
illustrated text by Thieleman J. van Braght. Artist Jan Luyken’s
engraving of Dirk’s rescue of his pursuer from an ice-covered pond is
arguably the most recognized – and most moving -- visual image for
those within the Anabaptist tradition.
Bulgarian iconographer Jivko
Donkov has beautifully recaptured the Luyken scene in vivid color. Our
second and third icons are of Menno Simons and Margaretha
Sattler. Other possible images for the future include Felix Manz,
Michael Sattler, Elisabeth Dirks, Conrad Grebel, George Blaurock, Maria
van Beckum, Dirk Philips, Catherine Müller, Balthasar Hubmaier, Anna
Hendriks, Anna Jansz, Maria of Monjou, and Maeyken Wens.
Creation
of icons is one of the world’s oldest artistic traditions, and icons
can powerfully inspire spiritual contemplation. Although 16th-century
Anabaptists rejected icons as idolatrous, images of saints and martyrs
have long adorned Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches, stimulating
respect and memory and reminding viewers of lives of faithful service.
While Western art honors originality, dramatic displays of originality
are inappropriate for iconographers, who strive to make their figures
look the same so that universality is stressed over the painter’s
individuality. Iconographers often trace or “preserve” outlines from
previous icons, known as prototypes, that have been passed down for
generations. In this spirit, the Willems icon draws directly on
Luyken’s memorable engraving.
In
creating the icons for the Anabaptist Images series,
iconographer Jivko Donkov uses the ancient methods of his craft. Each
icon begins with wood covered with gesso, which is then laboriously
hand painted with dry pigments mixed into egg tempera paint. The
traditional gold background of the icons is Donkov’s attempt to
incorporate heavenly light, a color one rarely finds in nature.
Dirk Willems, Menno Simons, Margaretha Sattler
The
Dirk Willems, Menno Simons, and Margaretha Sattler icons are available
in a limited edition of 100 (for Dirk) and 50 (for Menno and
Margaretha) in an 8” x 11” size, and in a limited edition of only 25 in
a 12” x 16” size (sizes may vary slightly).
Cost of the 8” x 11” icon is $225 U.S., plus shipping and handling, and
cost of the 12” x 16” icon is $400 U.S. plus shipping and handling.
Prices are guaranteed on orders made through August 2006, but there may
be a slight increase thereafter depending on exchange rates for the
U.S. dollar.
Each
icon is hand-painted, numbered, dated, and signed by Bulgarian
iconographer Jivko Donkov. Because each icon is handcrafted, purchasers
may need to wait several months to receive their icons.
Your purchase of icons in the Anabaptist Images series also will
support the work of the Historical Committee of Mennonite Church USA.
