Wall Painting of the Virgin and Child with Donors

This ca. 1800 wall-sized painting would have been part of the decorative program of a church in the Lake Tana region of Ethiopia. Vivid ochre, red, blue, white and green pigments, with black highlights, were applied over gesso on a textile backing. The painting depicts the Virgin and Child, seated on a vibrant blue mat decorated with yellow and white interlaced patterns. The central group is framed by an open red curtain held up by two angels. At the top, two smaller angels are holding a representation of the Ark of the Covenant. Along the outer edge of the mat on the lower right side, figures of donors hold postures of supplication. The figure on the left side is dressed in the garb of the keeper of the church. The central figures of the Virgin and Child and their attendants are surrounded by textiles and ornamental motifs such as arabesques in red and blue, interlaced patterns, and polka dots which fill the entire surface of the canvas. Between the figures in the lower sections, text in Geez, the classical language of Ethiopia, originally listed the donors by name but only the name of “Blatta Fenta” remains still legible.