For centuries Iconography has been a remarkable tool of inner peace and spirituality for people of all faiths and traditions.  Iconography is the most purest art form as it takes a lifetime to become proficient in Iconography.  It is believed that icons originated around the 6th century.  The word Icon (Eikon) means "Image" and combines bright colors, gold leaf and other ingredients on canvas and aged wood.  Iconography holds firm roots with the Greeks, who were considered the masters of Iconography, which later spread to Russia.
The process of painting and icon begins by taking a piece of wood, then the craftsman shapes the sides and carves the wood to the desired shape and style. The panel is then prepared and the shpae of the icon motif is sketched.  A few coats of paint are applied and then sheets of gold leaf are applied around the sketch.  After the background is gilded and the halo punched, the base color is applied, mostly made of egg yolk and water.  The base colors are applied first followed by the more detailed features, ending with the face, hair and finally any applicable inscriptions.  The icon is dried and an oil varnish is applied to protect the paint.
This icon is made in Meteora, Greece in the heartland of the Greek Byzantine Monastaries.