Iconography & Sacred Art
8 topics
EssentialIconography & Sacred ArtTheology of IconsIcons are not mere religious art: they are 'theology in color,' windows into the heavenly reality. The veneration of icons is grounded in the Incarnation: because God became visible in Christ, it is possible and proper to depict Him. 'He who has seen Me has seen the Father' (John 14:9). The honor paid to the image (eikon) passes to the prototype (protypon).ImportantIconography & Sacred ArtChrist Pantocrator (Icon Type)The most important and widespread icon of Christ: depicted as ruler and judge of all (Pantocrator = 'Almighty'). Christ is shown frontally, holding the Gospel in His left hand and blessing with His right. His face is deliberately asymmetric: one side merciful, the other judging. Usually placed in the central dome of the church and on the iconostasis. The Sinai Pantocrator (6th c.) is the oldest known example.ImportantIconography & Sacred ArtHagia SophiaThe great church of Holy Wisdom in Constantinople, built by Emperor Justinian (537 AD). For nearly 1,000 years the largest church in the world. Its mosaics (Christ Pantocrator, Deesis, Theotokos) are masterpieces of Byzantine art. Converted to a mosque (1453), then a museum (1934), then a mosque again (2020). Remains a symbol of Orthodox civilization.ImportantIconography & Sacred ArtIconoclasmTwo periods of icon destruction in Byzantium (726-787 and 814-843) when emperors banned icons as idolatry. Defenders of icons (iconodules) suffered persecution. The Seventh Ecumenical Council (787) vindicated icons. The final restoration of icons on the First Sunday of Lent, 843, the 'Triumph of Orthodoxy', is celebrated annually.ImportantIconography & Sacred ArtThe Cross (Symbol & Object)The primary symbol of Orthodox Christianity. Several forms: Byzantine cross (with slanted footrest), Russian cross (three-bar), Greek cross (equal arms), and processional cross. Present in every Orthodox church, home, and worn by the faithful. The sign of the cross (right to left, three fingers joined for Trinity, two folded for Christ's two natures) is made constantly in prayer and worship.ImportantIconography & Sacred ArtRublev's Trinity IconThe most famous Orthodox icon, painted by St. Andrei Rublev (c. 1411-1427) for the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Depicts the three angels who visited Abraham (Genesis 18) as an image of the Holy Trinity. Remarkable for its circular composition suggesting the mutual love (perichoresis) of the Three Persons. A theological masterpiece.ImportantIconography & Sacred ArtTheotokos Icon TypesMajor iconographic types of the Virgin Mary: Hodegetria ('She Who Shows the Way', pointing to Christ), Eleusa/Glykophilousa ('Tenderness', cheeks touching), Platytera ('More Spacious than the Heavens', Christ in her womb, hands raised in prayer), Orans (praying with raised hands). Famous miracle-working icons: Iveron, Kazan, Vladimir, Tinos Megalochari.Iconography & Sacred ArtMajor Icon StylesKey traditions: Byzantine (gold backgrounds, hieratic style; Constantinople), Russian (Andrei Rublev's luminous style; Moscow and Novgorod), Cretan (Theophanes the Cretan; a synthesis of Byzantine and western influences), Ethiopian (distinctive frontal figures), Romanian, Coptic, and modern revival schools.