Pentecost 1200

This is an Orthodox Icon painting representing Pentecost, made around the fourth century, with tempera on a wood panel. Notice the semi-circular arrangement of figures; they create a visual echo of the building's architecture, reinforcing the idea of community and shared space. The repetition of halos and facial features creates a rhythmic pattern, which visually binds the figures together. The icon cleverly employs the structuralist idea of binary oppositions. The light-filled upper section contrasts with the dark opening below, suggesting the interplay between divine illumination and earthly existence. This interplay destabilizes a fixed meaning, and allows for multiple interpretations. Ultimately, the composition functions not merely as an aesthetic choice but as a symbolic representation of complex theological concepts. The lack of a singular focal point challenges conventional hierarchies and invites a more egalitarian reading of the image. This icon can be continuously re-interpreted.