Description: Three watercolors on thick paper paintings depicting traditional Ethiopian heroes. The smallest of the three pieces depicts St. George slaying the dragon, (14.5" x 12"). The second piece depicts Haile Selassie I (23 July 1892 – 27 August 1975), Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. There are two portraits in the frame, one depict Selassie in a General's uniform, the second portrait he wears priestly vestments, artwork size of both portraits within the frame are (16" x 11.25"). Selassie fought against the Italians in WWII and was considered a member of the Solomonic Dynasty.The third piece of art depicts the Biblical King Solomon and Makeda, the Queen of Sheba. Size of both portraits in the frame are, from left to right (13.5" x 10") (14" x 10"). Ethiopian painting, is highly distinctive, though the style and iconography are closely related to the simplified Coptic version of Late Antique and Byzantine Christian art. It is typified by simplistic, almost cartoonish, figures with large, almond-shaped, eyes. Colors are usually bright and vivid. The majority of Ethiopian paintings are religious or nationalistic in nature.

History: The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been the predominant religion in Ethiopia for over 1500 years, for most of this period in a very close relation, or union, with the Coptic Christianity of Egypt, so that Coptic art has been the main formative influence on Ethiopian church art. Rastifarians believe Haile Selassie to be the second coming of Jesus Christ According to tradition, Haile Selassie I was the 225th in an unbroken line of Ethiopian monarchs of the Solomonic Dynasty. This dynasty is said to have been founded in the 10th century BC by Menelik I. Menelik I was son of the Biblical King Solomon and Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, who had visited Solomon in Israel. At the League of Nations in 1936, the Emperor condemned the use of chemical weapons by Italy against his people during the Second Italo–Ethiopian War.] His internationalist views led to Ethiopia's becoming a charter member of the United Nations, and his political thought and experience in promoting multilateralism and collective security have proved seminal and enduring.

Provenance: N/A

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 20 | Height(in) = 22 | Width(in) = 30 | Depth(in) = 4

Size of Artwork(in): See descriptions.

Artist Name: unknown

Medium: Watercolor on thick paper

Circa: Mid 20th century

No damage observed among all three pieces.