If you visit the Red Monastery in Sohag, Upper Egypt, you will see many marvelous pieces of Coptic art but perhaps the one which will catch your eyes most is the Lactating Madonna (Virgin Galaktotrophousa), nursing the Christ Child.[1] It is located at North lobe of the sanctuary, Red Monastery Church, and dated from c. 7th century. The photograph is by Elizabeth Bolman, director of the Red Monastery Project.
[1] It is a secco painting. Secco refers to the technique of painting on dry plaster with pigments mixed in water.
