Carefully Painted Icons Define Art of the Icon’s Reputation Today
 

Is it still possible to find religious art made the traditional way? At Art of the Icon, the answer is yes, and it has been for more than 40 years without exception or compromise on materials of any kind. The studio traces its roots to Crete, where the Vasarmidis family first began painting Icons with careful attention to historical accuracy and detail.

What does that traditional process actually involve? Hardwood panels are prepared with eight coats of Gesso glue, each one left to dry fully before moving forward, then sanded and readied for a line drawing on burlap canvas. Gilding is completed using pure silver and 24k gold leaf, giving each finished Icon a richness that printed alternatives can’t replicate. Why are there so few places doing this anymore? The process is slow and demanding, which is likely why only three factories worldwide continue to produce Icons this way despite steady demand from collectors everywhere around the globe and well beyond its many distant borders and regions today and throughout the distant and recent past alike. Anyone wanting to browse the current selection can do so at https://theartoftheicon.com/biblical-figure/icon-of-virgin-mary/ and compare the available designs carefully before deciding which piece to choose.