Saint Onuphrius (Tzanes)

Emmanuel Tzanes painted this icon of Saint Onuphrius in 1662, depicting the fourth-century Egyptian hermit who according to tradition lived for sixty years in the desert wearing nothing but his own hair. The ascetic saint was widely venerated in both Eastern and Western Christianity, and his image was common in monastic settings. Tzanes created this work during his years in Venice, where he served the Greek Orthodox community while absorbing Western artistic influences.

Tzanes depicts the emaciated hermit saint with a blend of Byzantine iconic formality and Western naturalistic modeling of anatomy. The treatment of the saint's long hair and beard shows careful attention to texture within the conventions of icon painting.