Sanmedru (2024) Original Acrylic Painting by Alice

Sânmedru Large Abstract Painting pays homage to the traditions and mythology surrounding Sânmedru, a revered figure in the Romanian pantheon. Celebrated on October 26th, Sânmedru represents the patron of pastoral winter, symbolizing the death of vegetation and the arrival of winter. This celebration marks a critical division of the year into two symmetrical parts: the summer season, centered on St. Elijah (July 20), and the winter season, centered on Sâmpetru of Winter (November 16).

Saint Demetrius is also the patron saint of shepherds, and his feast day includes rituals predicting the coming winter. Shepherds place a sheepskin coat in the middle of their sheep herd and observe which sheep lies on it. If a black sheep lies down, the winter will be mild, but if a white sheep lies down, the winter will be harsh.

This artwork is part of The Calendar Collection, a series of 14 paintings that depict the most significant celebrations of the pastoral Romanian year. These works are inspired by the rich culture, traditions, and mythology of Mărginimea Sibiului, one of Romania’s most authentic regions.

The cultural layers reflected in these celebrations include:

Ancestral religion, preserved only in fragments.
Solar worship, inherited from the Mithraic cult.
Christian traditions, where early Christianity adapted pagan celebrations, such as transforming the Winter Solstice into Christmas or aligning an ancient thunder god’s feast with Saint Elijah.

Materials used:

acrylics

Details:

• Acrylic painting on Canvas
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 100 x 160 x 2cm
• Ready to hang
• Signed on the front
• Style: Expressive and gestural
• Subject: Abstract and non-figurative