Pantocrator

This work recreates the classical depiction of the medieval Christ Pantocrator in a hyper-realistic style. In the top center section of the painting, Christ in majesty set against a cobalt blue mandorla background holds the Book and imparts a blessing with his right hand. Christ’s left hand and foot are superimposed on the frame seeming to move outside the frame and into the space of the viewer. This gesture parallels a precedent visual device found in the Pantocrator of St. Clement of Tahull, a masterpiece of Romanesque art. The entire background is covered with gold leaf. Adoring figures of several saints meaningful to the students and professors of the school where the chapel is located as well as the figure of Leo XII, founder of the Catholic University, surround the image of Christ.