In May 1990 the Royal College of Art, London, invited Prof. Isaac Fanous to attend Stéphane’s viva voce as the only living master of Coptic iconography.
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The Contemporary School
Isaac Fanous (1919-2007), is the father of the Contemporary or Neo-Coptic School of iconography. He was undoubtedly one of the greatest Coptic artists of the 20th c. To him we owe the recovery/rediscovery of an artistic tradition that goes back to the zenith of the Coptic period (3rd-7th c.) and finds its origins in the art of Ancient and Greco Roman Egypt. He established a new canon and an authentic and timeless Coptic style, which transcends Christian denominational or cultural boundaries. His work adorn many churches and cathedrals in Egypt and the Coptic Diaspora, particularly in California, USA. He headed the Department of Art and Archaeology at the Institute of Coptic Studies, Cairo, for 50 years.
Dr Stéphane René (deacon Stephanos) is one of his closest disciples and a leading exponent of the Neo-Coptic School.
Prof. Isaac Fanous Yossef
Photograph by Monica René
Prof.I Fanous and Dr S.Rene May 1990
The Iconostasis of St Mark’s
Coptic Orthodox Church, London
The original icons of the iconostasis of St Mark’s Coptic Church, Kensington, London, were written by Prof. Fanous between 1976-77. It was extended with 8 further icons written by Dr Stephane Rene in 1998 and was consecrated the same year by H.H. Pope Shenouda III (right)
In the studio of the Institute of Coptic Studies, Cairo 1986
Stephane created the icon of Our Lady Stella Maris, Star of the Sea, which was commissioned by the Apostleship of the Sea in 2006, to front the organization’s work with the seafaring communities around the world. The icon is on a perpetual tour of churches dedicated to Stella Maris, usually located near or by the sea. In May 2006 the icon was blessed by H.H. Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Square, Rome.
Icon of the Virgin Stella Maris
Pope Benedict XVI with the icon of Stella Maris, St Peter’s Square
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