Product Details

Limited edition print taken from an original painting by Raphael Balme.

Printed at our Fine Art Trade Guild printers in England, this Giclee reproduction of an original painting is printed on archival quality Aquarelle Rag paper (310gsm).

Limited edition of 50

Authentication: signed, edition numbered & stamped.

UNFRAMED PRINT SIZE: A1 / 594 x 841mm / 59.4 x 84.1cm / 23.4 x 33.1 inches

FRAMED SIZE: 692 x 939mm / 69.2 x 93.9cm / 27.2 x 37 inches

Frame options: Oak with mount, White with mount, Black with mount, Putty with mount

Read more about our Framing Workshop here

THE STORY

A new collection of original paintings and cushions by British artist Raphael Balme transports us to the world of richly painted Byzantine churches.

It was just before lockdown came in March 2020 that Raphael Balme began a tour of the Troodos mountains in Cyprus and an artistic pilgrimage to the painted churches of the region. This chain of ten churches and monasteries form a UNESCO World Heritage Site and have always held a fascinations for the artist:

“They were completely amazing. Tiny, simple unassuming little churches in the middle of nowhere but lined like chocolate boxes with these extraordinary paintings. Precious treasures of jewel-like colours and stories”

When Raphael returned home to her studio in Yorkshire and life became smaller with no access to travel, she began to recall other expeditions. Memories, photographs and sketch books filled on travels to Greek monasteries, Sri Lankan temples and Tuscan frescoes are woven together in this new collection.

Lively paintings populated with horses, vines, monkeys, peacocks, flowers, caterpillars and wolves are juxtaposed within architectural details such as archways, pillars, tents and tiled floors. 

Rich colours painted in gouache, an opaque watercolour medium with natural pigments echo the colour palette of the Byzantine wall paintings beautifully.