What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:4-7, KJV)
Andriy Vynnychok from the new school of Ukrainian Greek Catholic iconography in Lviv created this week's variation on the Good Shepherd motif, using an unusual color palette where blue is notably absent and muted shades of green pair with red. In Vynnychok's holy images the defining outlines found in traditional icons often give way to more fluid compositions, molded by contrasting colors and unusual highlighting effects as we see in the use of red on the lamb. The agitated brushwork with touches of gold in the background suggests both a thorny thicket where lost sheep might be found and the intricate patterning on a metal filigree icon cover. Continue to Pray for the Peace of Ukraine. (John Kohan)