An iconic image beautifully captured

Iconic is such an over-used word today. But it’s the most appropriate one to describe this image of Christ. I’m not especially religious but this piece seemed to me to convey so much in its expression. There is almost a meditative quality; the closed eyes concentrating the mind to hold back the pain. It is not a tortured expression but nor is it beatific. There is a sense of It’s just so very human. There is something very real and truthful about it.

That it manages so successfully to convey its description with such economy and simplicity is also to its credit. Less here is so very much more. It’s flatness is almost medieval in style, yet there is modernity too.

I’d be intrigued to get the view of others. My best guess is that it’s Eastern European, possible Greek Orthodox or Russian? As for age, I’m really not sure. So for these reasons, I’ll mark it as unsolved mystery.

If anyone can advise on a more appropriate category choice, I’d be grateful. Nothing for religious art as far as I can see.