"The Iconoclasts" Artist: Domenico Morelli,1885

"The Iconoclasts" Artist: Domenico Morelli,1885 

The painting depicts Saint Lazarus Zographos and a group of iconoclasts before the Chalke Gate at the Imperial Palace,  Constantinople.

Saint Lazarus ( died 867 ) was a monk and painter from Constantinople who opposed the policy of iconoclasm during the reign of  Emperor Theophilos. The Life of Saint Lazarus relates that after refusing to destroy his paintings and cease painting he was imprisoned and his hands burned with red-hot horseshoes. Theodora is said to have intervened with her husband on his behalf to prevent further torture . After the restoration of icons in 843 following the death of Theophilos, Saint Lazarus repainted the famous Christ Chalkites icon, over the Chalke Gate, that had been destroyed by iconoclasts.