42 Saint Patrick of Ireland

late 20th century, Enverso: This icon is a reproduction of the original by iconographer N.J(W.) Oliphant, print mounted on the board Size: 9”x71⁄2”

This icon by Nancy Oliphant depicts St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St Patrick is seen holding the Gospel in his right hand while holding a crosier in his left hand. The Gospel shows he was a preacher and missionary to the Irish, while the crosier or shepherds crook is a symbol of him being a bishop and shepherd of men. The fire on the Gospel and above St. Patrick’s head represents the Holy Spirit.

The composition is reminiscent of the famous monastic illuminated manuscripts from early medeival Ireland, most notably the book of Kells. Pious Monks would go to great lengths to capture intricate details in manuscripts that the physical beauty of their works may be symbols of the beauty of their texts, most commonly the scriptures.

The scriptures are represented in the four corners of this icon, specifically depicted are the four figures of the Gospels.
St. Thomas Aquinas writes “Matthew might be said to designate Christ principally in terms of the mystery of the incarnation, and thus he is depicted in the figure of a man; Mark in terms of the victory of the Resurrection, and thus he is depicted in the figure of a lion; Luke in terms of the mystery of the Passion, and thus he is depicted in the figure of a bull; but John, who flies ot the heights of his divinity, is depicted as an eagle.”

Below the images representing the four Gospels are image representing stories from the life of St. Patrick.