Icon Painting Advanced Course with an Art Historical Introduction: Kozelshchan Theotokos 7/2027

This course is suitable for individuals who master the basics of egg tempera technique and have some experience in icon painting.

The Kozelshchan Mother of God icon, located in Helsinki's Uspenski Cathedral, is considered one of the miracle-working icons of the Orthodox Church of Finland. The story of this print-based icon began in Vyborg at the end of the 19th century when Saint John of Kronstadt, who was later canonized, blessed and sent it to the family of a sick girl named Anna for help. After a prayer service performed before the icon, the girl recovered. Other miracles are attributed to the icon, such as its discovery in 2010 after a robbery, when the thief regretted his act.

The icon represents the so-called academic style, drawing on Western European influences. On this course, we will paint a version of the icon adapted to the traditional egg tempera technique, a slightly more Byzantine, yet delicate, rendition. You will receive the model at the beginning of the course, and the panel can be purchased from the institute. If you want a gilded background or halo for the icon, please also book a place on the preceding bolus gilding course. The course begins with a introduction by doctoral researcher and art historian Suvi Toivanen to miracle-working icons and the story of the Kozelshchan Mother of God. Icon painter Sofia Williams is responsible for the instruction during the painting phase. If you combine this course with the bolus gilding course starting on July 5, the combined price for the two courses is 900 €, and no other standard discounts are granted for it. Please also note that those under 35 years old receive a 40 percent discount on icon painting courses. The course instruction begins on July 9. Accommodation for the preceding night is included in the course price; any meals on July 8 are paid at normal prices at Trapesa. The language of instruction is Finnish.

The Epass mobile application can be used as a payment method for this course.