# Christ and Abbot Mena

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/early-christian-painter-coptic-r4e4b5a551f029f/christ-and-abbot-mena-rade92237d3459d>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [EARLY CHRISTIAN PAINTER, Coptic](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/early-christian-painter-coptic-r4e4b5a551f029f>)
- Date: 0701-0750
- Technique: Paint on sycamore fig wood, 57 x 57 cm

## Commentary

This painting on wood comes from the monastery of Bawit in Middle Egypt. Dated to the 8th century, it represents Christ \(easily recognizable by his halo with a cross\) and Abbot Mena, the superior of the monastery at the time. The abbot holds a scroll in his left hand; this may have contained the rules of his monastery. The painting is the oldest known Coptic icon.

## Related artworks

- [Christ and Abbot Mena](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/early-christian-painter-coptic-r4e4b5a551f029f/christ-and-abbot-mena-redb473f42dc6ce>)
- [Christ Enthroned](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/early-christian-painter-coptic-r4e4b5a551f029f/christ-enthroned-r123f13bbf6504e>)
- [Cupola decoration \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/early-christian-painter-coptic-r4e4b5a551f029f/cupola-decoration-detail-r9a5dd8869a11e1>)
- [Cupola decoration](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/early-christian-painter-coptic-r4e4b5a551f029f/cupola-decoration-r7044ccd575b2f5>)
- [Virgin and Child between Apostles](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/early-christian-painter-coptic-r4e4b5a551f029f/virgin-and-child-between-apostles-r06b5117e916365>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)