Focus on this artwork and discuss the Description.
The materials used for the massive icon were egg tempera paint on wood.  The painter also used gold leaf.  The painting was completed in 1684.  The height is 60.2 in (152.9 cm) and the width is 40.6 in (103.1 cm) exactly five feet tall.  The Virgin is seated within a niche.  Many painters used the niche in their works.  The Madonna and Child by Filippo Lippi also features a similar shell-like niche behind the Virgin Mary.  The Virgin is seated in a niche-like throne in Emmanuel's painting.  The throne is elaborately decorated.  Both Konstantinos and Emmanuel painted a similar throne. Konstantino's version lacks the shell like niche.  In Emmanuel's version the Theotokos is crowned by a white dove while in Konstantino's version the Theotokos is crowned by two angels.  Emmanuel's angels marvel at the Virgin and Child. The majestic throne features two symmetric decorative round orbs.  Above the orbs follow two symmetric corinthian-like columns.  The Virgin's heavenly crown is adorned with precious jewels.The Virgin's face is very natural.  The child is looking at the viewer.  The child holds a banner in his left hand versus the typical scroll prevalent in Cretan paintings.  The child is seated on an elaborately decorated pillow.  Both the Virgin and Child are dressed in majestic attire.  The artist's color palette for the main figures features red, blue, green, and orange.  The painter presents luxuriant patterns and 
brilliant colors.  The folds of fabric and shadows are clearly evident.  Konstantinos uses more shadows to provide a sense of realism.  The detail in Emmanuel's work is featured around the Virgin's legs.  Brilliant diagonal lines, patterns, and shadows are present.  The shadows illustrate a three-dimensional throne. Both brothers elevated the Greek style to another level defining the Late Cretan School.
Konstantinos Emmanuel Cretan School white dove Theotokos Late Cretan School Konstantino Filippo Lippi