Russians inherited the tradition of icon
painting from Byzantium, where it began as
an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco
tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries,
the iconoclastic controversy in the
Orthodox Church called into question
whether religious images were a legitimate
practice or sacrilegious idolatry. Although
the use of images was in the end
permitted, a thorough distinction between
profane art intended to depict reality and
sacred art designed for spiritual
contemplation was established. Certain
kinds of balance and harmony became
established as reflections of divinity, and
as such they invited careful reproduction
and subtle refinement rather than striking
novelty. Although this philosophy resulted
in a comparatively slow evolution of style,
icon painting evolved considerably over the
centuries. Unlike the pictorial traditions of
the west that aspire towards increased
realism and naturalism, the essence of
Russian icon painting is not about the
representation of physical space or
appearance. Icons are images intended to
aid in contemplative prayer, and in that
sense, are more concerned with conveying
meditative harmony than with laying out a
realistic scene. They were not painted to
please the eye of the mind, but to inspire
reflection and self-examination.
The central panel of this striking icon
depicts Christ enthroned flanked by Mary
and St. John. All these figures are
repeated in the smaller surrounding panels
that represent scenes from the life of
Christ. The two most prominent of the
smaller predella are the Flight into Egypt at
the bottom and the Entry into Jerusalem
directly above the central panel. The
painter has masterfully arranged the
composition so that the white horse and
donkey from the two scenes echo each
other. In the first, Christ is an infant who
must flee his homeland for safety in Egypt.
In the second, he returns triumphantly to
the land of his birth riding along a donkey.
These two events serve as effective
bookends to the life of Christ. This icon
depicts some of the most famous events
from the life of Christ in order to remind
the viewer of the path he undertook and
the choices he made. Gazing upon this
stunning painting, we are reminded that
righteousness is a constant struggle that
permeates every moment of our lives, and
the life of Christ as well.
- (PF.5975)
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