Byzantine Style Icon of Saint John the Theologian by Darcy Garneau

This page is for a very specific artwork: a Byzantine-style icon of Saint John the Theologian, completed in 2021 by iconographer Darcy Garneau. The reported materials are egg tempera on Ampersand Claybord with 23 ct gold leaf accents, size 16" × 20". The icon was donated to St. John the Divine Church (Victoria, BC) in June 2021.

Whether you need this for insurance, an estate file, or an IRS charitable donation deduction, the goal is the same: document what you have in enough detail that an appraiser can support the value with defensible research.

At-a-glance details to capture

• Artist: Darcy Garneau (contemporary iconographer).
• Subject: Saint John the Theologian (iconographic tradition).
• Date: 2021 (effective date can be June 2021 for donation FMV).
• Medium: egg tempera with 23 ct gold leaf accents.
• Support: Ampersand Claybord panel (note if cradled/framed).
• Size: 16" × 20" (confirm if sight vs framed size).
• Provenance: donation letter / church records, any commission correspondence.

What this icon is (and isn’t)

A contemporary icon can be both “traditional” and “original.” In iconography, painters intentionally work within established prototypes (poses, symbols, colors) so the saint is recognizable. That doesn’t make the work a commercial reproduction. If it was executed by an iconographer in egg tempera with genuine gilding, it is an original, hand-painted object.

“Byzantine style” describes the visual language—flattened perspective, stylized drapery, symbolic color—not the date. This 2021 icon should be valued as a contemporary religious artwork rather than medieval/antique material.

Materials & technique: egg tempera on Claybord with gold leaf

The reported materials (egg tempera, 23 ct gold leaf, Claybord support) signal a serious iconographic process. They also drive how an appraiser will describe, authenticate, and evaluate the piece.

• Egg tempera: pigment bound with egg (fast drying, layered application, stable when protected).
• Gold leaf: thin metal leaf laid over a prepared ground; higher karat leaf resists tarnish and reads as higher quality.
• Ampersand Claybord: a rigid, smooth panel (excellent for detail and line), sometimes cradled for stability.

For documentation, note whether the icon is framed, whether the panel is cradled, and whether there are inscriptions on the back or edge.

Authentication checklist for a contemporary icon

For contemporary iconography, authentication is usually documentation-driven. The goal is to support attribution and distinguish a commissioned icon from mass-produced devotional images.

1. Photograph front/back/edges. Include the whole panel, frame, and hanging hardware.
2. Find any signature/inscription. It may be on the back or hidden under a frame lip—photograph close-ups.
3. Confirm it’s not a print. Macro photos should show brushwork and leaf overlap, not dot patterns.
4. Document gilding. Raking light helps show leaf seams, burnishing, or tooling.
5. Gather provenance. Commission emails/invoices and the donation letter are strong evidence.
6. Record installation context. If hung at a church, include a contextual photo and location notes.

Condition factors that move value (egg tempera + gilding)

Condition is often the biggest swing factor for contemporary icons because collectors expect clean, stable surfaces and crisp gilding.

• Paint lifting/flaking (especially on edges or corners).
• Gold leaf abrasion (rubbed halos, scratches, dull patches from handling/cleaning).
• Panel damage (warping, dents, corner bruises, cradle separation).
• Soot and surface grime (icons in liturgical settings can accumulate dust/soot).
• Touch-up/restoration (document if present; even competent conservation should be disclosed).

For any appraisal purpose, provide one raking-light photo and one normal-light photo so surface issues are visible.

How value is typically supported for contemporary icons

Values for contemporary icons are commonly supported by a blend of primary-market benchmarks (artist pricing and commissions), secondary-market comparables (sales of similar icons), and replacement cost logic.

For a single icon, a defensible report explains which value definition applies and why the research sources fit that definition:

If direct comparables are limited, an appraiser may explain value using a documented commission-rate framework (size, complexity, gilding, and artist reputation) and then sanity-check it against available market listings.

IRS donation appraisal notes (Form 8283)

If you’re claiming a U.S. tax deduction for a charitable donation, the IRS rules drive the appraisal requirements. In many cases, art above certain thresholds requires a qualified appraisal and supporting paperwork.

• Effective date matters. Donation work needs FMV as of the contribution date (June 2021 here).
• Retrospective valuation is normal. An appraiser can prepare a report today with an earlier effective date; they should not “backdate” the report signature.
• Keep the paper trail. Retain the church acknowledgment letter, any restrictions, and installation documentation.
• Use the right definition. Donation work typically uses FMV, not insurance replacement value.

If your goal is to attach an appraisal summary to a return, say so up front. It changes how the report is structured and what identifiers and credential statements are included.

Photo package for a remote appraisal (fastest route)

Online appraisal can be effective for contemporary icons when photos show technique, surface condition, inscriptions, and support construction. Use this checklist to avoid delays:

Include one raking-light photo to reveal raised gilding edges and any surface irregularities. If the icon is framed and it is safe to remove, provide photos with the frame removed so edges and inscriptions are visible.

FAQ: Darcy Garneau Saint John icon appraisal

Can an appraisal be written for the June 2021 donation date?

Yes. Appraisers commonly prepare a report after the fact with an effective value date in the past (such as a donation date). The report should clearly state both the effective date and the report date.

Is a Byzantine-style icon considered a “reproduction”?

Iconography uses traditional prototypes. A hand-painted egg tempera icon can still be an original artwork even if it references an earlier composition. What matters is whether it is hand executed versus printed.

Does being installed in a church increase value?

Installation can strengthen provenance and documentation, which helps attribution. FMV still depends on what buyers pay for comparable icons, so installation is usually supporting context rather than the core driver.

What if there is no visible signature?

That can be normal. Check the back, edges, and under the frame lip. If unsigned, commission paperwork and donation records become more important for attribution.

What’s the biggest mistake people make valuing icons?

Mixing value definitions (insurance replacement vs FMV) and relying on unrelated listings. A defensible appraisal ties the value to comparable works, documents the method, and uses the correct effective date.

Key takeaways

• Document the icon first: front/back, edges, raking light, and any inscriptions.
• For donation work, FMV must be supported as of the donation date (June 2021 here).
• “Byzantine style” describes iconography—not age—so value research should focus on contemporary icon markets.
• Egg tempera + gold leaf are premium signals, but condition (especially gilding wear) can move value materially.
• Ask for a clear value definition (FMV vs replacement) and keep a complete provenance paper trail.