Onbekend - Groot Ethiopisch Orthodox Schilderij op Perkament - Het epos van de Koningin van Sheba en Koning

Description: A beautiful and highly detailed Ethiopian Orthodox folk art painting. This type of narrative art (panel-strip polyptych) is a classic example of the rich Christian culture and iconography from the Horn of Africa.

Technique and Support: This unique artwork is produced according to centuries-old artisanal traditions.

The Support: Handmade traditional Ethiopian parchment (Birana), made from carefully scraped and tightly stretched goatskin. This gives the work its characteristic organic texture and exceptional durability.

The Medium: Hand-painted with traditional tempera (pigments mixed with a natural binder), which provides a deep, matte color wash. Graphic composition: The outlines and the expressive Ge’ez/Amharic script above the scenes are hand-applied with a traditional bamboo pen (qelem) and natural ink.

Depiction: The painting shows a sequence of successive scenes telling the famous historical and religious epic of the Queen of Sheba (Makeda) and King Solomon, a central story in the Ethiopian tradition (the Kebra Nagast). The figures are depicted with the large, almond-shaped eyes and strong outlines that are so characteristic of this iconic painting style. The parchment is tightly stretched and mounted in a modern, open deep-black wooden frame (without glass), allowing the characteristic texture of the original hide to shine. The work is ready to be hung directly.

Specifications:
Origin: Ethiopia
Material: Tempura and ink on goatskin parchment (Birana)
Frame: Open wooden frame (without glass, frame width approx. 2.5 cm)
Dimensions including frame: 95 x 44 cm
Dimensions excluding frame: 90 x 39 cm