The Ikon Studio

History icons

History icons are complex compositions that depict a central figure surrounded by scenes from his or her life. The example shown here is that of the prophet Jonah.

An excerpt from the "Canticle of Jonah" surrounds the entire painting, illustrating the intimate relationship of text and image in icons.

The small border scenes tell the story of the reluctant prophet who attempts to "hop a freighter" to avoid fulfilling God's mission for him.

Despite his best efforts to escape, Jonah eventually does God's will and preaches repentance to the Ninevites. They unexpectedly repent, thereby escaping the divine punishment Jonah devoutly wishes upon them.

Our icon seeks to express the humorous naiveté of Jonah's plan to outmaneuver God. Notice the face of the sea monster. Its expression flip-flops from a grimace to a grin, and back again.

In the final scene, Jonah pouts while God lectures him (indicated by the hand extended from the orb above) on Jonah's lack of compassion toward the Ninevites who, God says, "don't know their right hand from their left." (Jonah 4, 11)