Saint Onouphrios with scenes from his life

Emmanouil Skordilis is one of the most important painters in the Cyclades during the 17th century. He was of Cretan origin and most probably lived in Crete until the fall of Chania to the Ottoman Turks in 1645. Saint Onouphrios the hermit is represented standing in front of low rocky hills, depicted full length and frontally. He has no clothes on, apart from a girdle of green leaves. In his left hand he holds an open scroll bearing a prayer – most probably composed by Skordilis- for deliverance from the dangers of the sea. The scenes from his life are arranged along the vertical sides. This iconographic composition is known since the 15th century and elements from that period survive in the icon, like the horse and the church in the miniature scenes. The technique here used by Skordilis is slightly different from his other works, with very small white highlights on the yellow-brown underpaint alternating with the thick white hair of Saint Onouphrios. The work is inscribed by the painter.