Iconographer
Iconographer
Stéphane René is a leading exponent of the Neo-Coptic School. He studied under the school’s founder, the late Prof. Isaac Fanous, at the Institute of Coptic Studies, Cairo. He received his PhD from the Royal College of Art, London, in 1990. He teaches regular classes and leads workshops internationally. He supervises doctoral research in iconography at the Prince’s School of Traditional Art, London, and is the director of Sacred Space Gallery at St John’s Notting Hill, London. His work can be found in Coptic, Anglican and Catholic churches in Europe and the USA. Below are a few examples of his work.
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. Below is an article by the late Fr John Watson, about this unique occasion.
The Iconostasis of St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church, London.
The original icons for the iconostasis of St Mark’s Coptic Church, Kensington, London, were written by Prof. Fanous between 1976-78. The iconostasis was extended with 8 further icons by Dr Stephane René, in 1998 and was consecrated the same year by H.H. Pope Shenouda III (left)
Apsidal icon of Christ Pantocrator St Mary & Pope Kyrillos VI Coptic Orthodox Church, London. 2014
Enthroned Christ and Theotokos, St Mary’s Coptic Church Dusseldorf, Germany 2017
Sts Peter & Paul 2013
Archangel Mikhail 2012
Sts Sophia, Pistis, Elpis & Agape
Three Youths in the Furnace 2014
Iconography of the sanctuary of Our Lady of Zeitoun Coptic Orthodox Church, Vienna, Austria, 2001