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| Village of Sibiel |
An afternoon September rain has purified the landscape in
the region of Sibiu, Transylvania…crisp, wet colors woven in nature’s cloth are
guiding the traveler towards a necklace of villages with rich tradition called Marginimea
Sibiului, neighboring villages like Tilisca, Vale, Orlat, Saliste and my final destination
Sibiel where a jewel of a folk art museum is preserving a very unique
collection of Icons Painted on Glass.
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| Village Life |
The painting of icons on glass is an ancient Romanian folk
tradition dating back to 1699 in various regions of Transylvania - Nicula and
surrounding areas (Northern Transylvania), Mures Valley, the Fagaras, Brasov
area, Valley of Sebes, Alba Iulia, Mǎrginimea Sibiului – and each is
characterized by their specific style.
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| St. Ilie Glass Icon |
These areas are all well represented in the Museum “Fr.
Zosim Oancea” where, among the almost 600 icons collection, artistic jewels of
the local traditions are exhibited.
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| Fr. Zosim Oancea Museum, Sibiel |
After their work in the fields was done or when the weather
did not permit outdoor activities, some of the peasants in the area dedicated
themselves to painting icons on glass.
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| Museum Interior, Sibiel |
They produced all colors from natural pigments and
materials blending mixtures using animal fat, egg yolk, linseed oil etc.
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| Holy Trinity Glass Icon |
Icon Painting was never a commercial profit activity, but
an expression of faith and desire to have a Holy Icon in their home.
The painters had to prepare spiritually through prayer
and fasting, before creating the icons.
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| St. George Glass Icon |
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| Pieta Crucifixion Glass Icon |
