Merle Talvik portfoolio

Merle Talvik
artist, lecturer and creativity trainer

studied the practice and theory of ancient Christian art of Byzantine icon writing at Prosopon School of Iconology. Icon writing is a spiritual exercise, like a pilgrimage. It is the cooperation of the hand, heart and mind that enables us to delve into the essence of life and grow spiritually. Icon is a purifying image.
The icons are painted on pine wood in tempera colors. Wood board thickness 1.7 cm.

St. Catherine

According to legend, Catherine from Alexandria was a beautiful and wise girl who had argued and won over 50 pagan philosophers in a public dispute - as a result of which philosophers converted to Christianity. Measures 16x20 cm.

Mother of God of Tenderness IV

Eleousa, or Umilenie, is the epitome of tenderness, holiness, and motherly love. Dimensions 20x25 cm.

Saint Paul

Saint Paul was an apostel (although not one of the Twelve Apostles) who taught the gospel of Christ to the first-century world. Paul is generally considered one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age and from the mid-30s to the mid-50s AD he founded several Christian communities in Asia Minor and Europe. Measures 16x20 cm.

Mother of God Nicopeia

Nicopeia means "bringer of the victory." It is a Byzantine type that appeared as an independent type of icon in the first half of the fifth century and counts as one of the most loved types. She is the protector of all warriors. Measures 18x24 cm.

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

He was the archbishop of the city of Myra, in the province of Lysia, on the south side of the Eastern Roman Empire on the Asia Minor. He was a peaceful, kind-hearted, helpful person, and an ardent promoter of Christianity. He was a great benefactor: a protector of virgins, sailors, prisoners, merchants, bakers and children, who gave them presents at Christmas. He's a Santa's prototype. Measures 16x20 cm.
Price 210 €

Mother of God of Tenderness I

Eleousa, or Umilenie, is the epitome of tenderness, holiness, and motherly love. Dimensions 20.2x25.3 cm.
Price 290 €

A pair of wedding icons

Wedding icons always mark a pair of heavenly protectors for the male and female sides of the family: Jesus Christ and the Mother of God. The divine face of Christ helps to guide a young man in a godly and intelligent family, equip him with wisdom, and always remind him of God's promise to love and care for his wife. The Blessed Virgin Mary (Mother of God) prays for happiness, protects harmony and peace in the family, protects the family from enemies, and promotes spiritual understanding. Dimensions 10x13 cm.
The price of the pair is 220 €, each icon separately 115 €

St. Catherine

Holy Prophet Samuel

Samuel was a great prophet and judge in Israel, and he restored law, order, and worship in the land. Measures 10x13 cm.

St. Anastasia

St. Anastasia clothed in rags and wandered around to visit secretly imprisoned Christians - she washed and nourished the sick, unable to move themselves, comforted all who needed it. So she became a healer. Measures 10x13 cm.

Michael II

Archangel Michael is the leader of the heavenly powers, an angel of courage, strength, and protection. He is also a the guardian of goodness, honesty and the benefits of mankind. Measures 25.7x33 cm.

Archangels Michael and Gabriel

Archangel Michael is the leader of the heavenly powers, an angel of courage, strength, and protection. He is also a the guardian of goodness, honesty and the benefits of mankind.
Archangel Gabriel is an angel of harmony, beauty, purification and the arts. He gives you hope and strength to move on and not get stuck on your way. Gabriel embodies clarity, purity, order, and discipline.
Michael and Gabriel are usually in iconostasis on either side of the icons of Mother of God, Christ and John the Baptist. Measures 20.5x45 cm.

Mother of God of Tenderness III

Eleousa, or Umilenie, is the epitome of tenderness, holiness, and motherly love. Dimensions 25.7x33 cm.

Mother of God of the Foresign II

Oranta, or Znamenie, is a very old and powerful type of Mother of God icon dating back to the 4th century. Measures 27.5x33 cm.

St. James

The Holy Apostle James was the brother of Jesus. James later became the leader of the church in Jerusalem and wrote a Bible book bearing his name. Measures 10.5x13 cm.

John the Baptist

John the Baptist, or John the Forerunner, was the last prophet of the Old Testament and the first prophet of the New Testament. He was born six months before Christ and lived for many years in the desert wearing camel wool robe. He baptized his relative Jesus in the Jordan River. Measures 10.5x13 cm.

Rafael

Archangel Rafael is the most kind and cheerful archangel. He is the protector of travelers, the guardian angel of youth, the healer of exceptional skill, the patron of science. Measures 16x21 cm.

Michael I

Archangel Michael is the leader of the heavenly powers, an angel of courage, strength, and protection. He is also a the guardian of goodness, honesty and the benefits of mankind. Measures 16x21 cm.

Christ the Pantocrator

Christ the Pantocrator, or the Almighty, is the most common type of Christ icon. Measures 17x23.5 cm.

Mother of God the Comforter

The Mother of God alone, Paraclete, is revered as an independent image of Mary. Measures 10.5x13 cm.

Mother of God of the Foresign I

Oranta, or Znamenie, is a very old and powerful type of Mother of God icon dating back to the 4th century. Measures 20x25.3 cm.

Mother of God of Tenderness II

Eleousa, or Umilenie, is the epitome of tenderness, holiness, and motherly love. Dimensions 16x21 cm.

Mother of God of the Foresign III

Oranta, or Znamenie, is a very old and powerful type of Mother of God icon dating back to the 4th century. Measures 20x25.3 cm.

Saint Eligius

Saint Eligius (Eloi) is a historical figure, the patron saint of goldsmiths, other metalworkers, and coin collectors. Eloi was an advisor to Dagobert, King of France, and was appointed Bishop of Noyon-Tournai following Dagobert's death. He is characterized by honesty, for example, he made gold objects, including crown, for the king of France, containing the same amount of gold as the king had given him. Measures 16x20 cm.

Mother of God Bogolyubsky

Icon of the Mother of God Bogolyubsky - was known as "ambulance" during the plague of the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1771, at the request of the people, the Bogolyubsky icon was moved to the city of Vladimir, despite opposition of the local doctor and the sceptical authorities. Pilgrimages and prayers were performed. History shows that almost all of the 200 patients recovered (three dead) and less than a month later the plague left Vladimir. Measures 20x25 cm.

Michael III

Archangel Michael is the leader of the heavenly powers, an angel of courage, strength, and protection. He is also a the guardian of goodness, honesty and the benefits of mankind. Measures 16x20 cm.