Ethiopian Paintings

Painting on animal skin

Paintings from the Hess Collection

Ethiopia has a vast and unique body of church murals, and panel paintings on wood. This section displays five items that are most likely prints of murals or panels, and one original painting, on the left. They all carry the distinctive aesthetics of Ethiopian art. In addition, some of them have inscriptions in the Ge'ez (or Ethiopic) writing system.

(left )

The texture of the canvas indicates that this picture was painted on animal skin. Even though the colors are similar, the style is slightly different than the other pictures in this case. As with the other paintings, it has Ge’ez inscriptions that can be noticed both close to the main figure’s head and under his chair. The picture depicts a man sitting on a throne, possibly an emperor. Behind his throne, an attendant carries a royal umbrella. On both sides, two Ethiopian soldiers wear white shawls (shamma), and wear velvet covered shields.

Isaac, Abraham, and Jacob

Inside the Abuna Yemata Guh church, there are well-preserved frescoes adorning two small domes. This picture is part of one of the cupolas, and represents Isaac, Abraham, and Jacob. It dates from the 15^th century.

A game scene

In this scene, many people appear to play a game, while a dignitary sits on a chair, and watches them. In a small rectangle on the left, there are a few lines written in the Ge’ez (South Semitic language) alphabet.

A scene of the fields

Six men cross the fields mounted on horses. They go towards the Virgin Mary, Jesus, and two other male figures.

The Coronation of Virgin Mary

In the Tewahedo Church, the Virgin Mary is venerated by the faithful as the origin of their salvation. This painting illustrates the two angels descending from the skies to coronate Virgin Mary.

Book: L’Art Ethiopien

The art books from the Hess Collection were crucial in the identification of recent donations from the Hess family. The book displayed here features photographs and descriptions of the Abuna Yemata Guh monolithic church. The picture on the left displays Isaac, Abraham, and Jacob.