Icon - a sacred object in Christian culture: types, distinctive features, history

Icon in Art History - it is an object of easel painting, an artistic representation of faces or events on biblical (church) themes. From a theological point of view, an icon is a sacred object of worship for believers, an image painted in strict accordance with canons. Outstanding examples of iconography are of great interest to collectors and are valuable.

Icon. Icon of Jesus Christ from the Sinai Monastery in Egypt, 6th century

Icons are present throughout Christian culture, used in Orthodoxy and Catholicism during rituals and sacraments. Contrary to common misconception, icons are not objects of worship (idols) for truly believing people. A person does not pray to the artistic image, but before it, addressing God or a Saint for help.

Classification and Types of Icons

In Christianity, despite the strict canons of their creation, icons can vary greatly from each other. In visual art, the following criteria of classification exist for icons:

• By subject (depicting Christ, the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, angels, the Holy Spirit, martyrs, apostles, events from the Bible).
• By technique (painted, carved on wood or metal, embroidered on fabric, mosaic, engraved, fresco).
• By location (church, household, road, portable).
• By composition (single, double, multi-composition, stamped).
• By style or the school of a specific iconographer (Byzantine, Greek, Russian, Dionysius's workshop, Andrei Rublev's school).
• By purpose (family, wedding, votive, measured, named).
• By size (small, medium, large).
• By coverage of figures (full-length, enthroned, waist-level, shoulder-level, head-level).

Icon. Empress Eudocia. A marble icon inlaid with precious stones, X century

In Christianity, it is also customary to classify particularly revered miraculous icons according to the manifestations of their power into the following varieties:

• Myrrh-streaming (emanating fragrant oily moisture).
• Miraculously acquired (found accidentally in the most amazing places).
• Healing (possessing the ability to restore health to people).

Differences between Catholic and Orthodox Icons

There are significant differences in dogma, rituals, and spiritual life between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Historically, there has also been a division in the art of iconography.

Icon. Andrei Rublev. Icon of the Saviour of Zvenigorod, early 15th century

In Catholic culture, starting from the Renaissance period, there has been a departure from adhering to religious norms in icon painting. Renaissance painters began creating very colorful and artistically daring paintings of saints and biblical themes instead of the commonly accepted strict portrayals. Gradually, in Western Europe, religious-themed painting supplanted ancient iconography. The Catholic Church accepted these changes. The works of these masters became decorations in many churches, cathedrals, and monasteries.

Icon. Catholic icon of Jesus Christ

Orthodox icon painters, on the contrary, strictly adhered to ancient canons. Therefore, their creations can easily be distinguished from the works of Western "colleagues" based on the following characteristics:

• Conventionality and symbolism of the depiction. Russian icon painters deliberately portrayed figures as incorporeal, with slightly elongated proportions, to elevate the role of the spiritual and diminish the significance of the physical element.
• Dominance of reverse perspective. Objects depicted in icons increase in size as they move away from the observer.
• Role of light in composition. Orthodox artists did not use chiaroscuro in painting the images of saints; light emanated from the figures themselves.
• Color palette. The color of clothing, symbols, and other objects in the icon accurately corresponded to specific canons.
• Lack of temporal constraints. Icons cannot be tied to a specific era; they are painted outside of a specific time frame.

Icon. A four-part icon of the Novgorod school of the 15th century

History of Icons

The Christian church holds the history of icon painting in high regard. There are several beautiful legends regarding the origin of the first icons.

Icon. Icon of the Evangelist Luke painting an image of the Virgin Mary

One legend states that the first icon painter was the apostle of Christ, Saint Luke. It was he who first painted an image of the Virgin Mary with the infant on her lap. Numerous works of art in European culture are dedicated to this theme.

Icon. The Saviour of the Nerukotvorny of the Novgorod school of the XII century

There is also a tale of an Eastern king who passionately desired to have an image of Christ in his collection. However, the court painter was unable to depict the face of the Savior on canvas. Then Christ took pity on the master, wiped His wet face with a piece of cloth, and gave it to the painter. This is how the world-renowned "Not Made by Hands" icon of the Savior came into being.

The earliest historically confirmed examples of Christian iconography date back to the 4th century. These are frescoes on the walls of Roman catacombs depicting biblical themes. The earliest surviving icons in the familiar form of small painted images on wooden panels were created in the 6th century.

Icon. Archdeacon Lawrence. Mosaic of the 11th century St Sophia Cathedral in Kiev

In the 7th century, an important decision for iconography was made at the Quinisext Council. By the highest decree, the depiction of Christ in the symbolic form of a lamb was prohibited, only portraying His face in human likeness was allowed.

In the 8th century, a significant schism occurred in the Christian world. In the Byzantine Empire, a powerful movement known as iconoclasm emerged. Its supporters considered the veneration of icons to be idolatry and systematically destroyed religious images (altar paintings, frescoes, mosaics, statues, and icons).

Icon. The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, early 12th century

It was only in the year 843, during the Seventh Ecumenical Council, that the dogma of icon veneration was officially established. In memory of this event, the Eastern Church annually celebrates the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy.

During the Middle Ages, independent icon painting schools were established in nearly all European countries. In Russia, the flourishing of icon painters occurred during the 14th to 15th centuries. During this period, exceptional masters created their works:

• Theophanes the Greek (1340–1410).
• Andrei Rublev (1360–1428).
• Dionysius (1440–1502).
• Feodor Zubov (1615–1689).
• Gury Nikitin (1620–1691).
• Simon Ushakov (1626–1686).

The decline of icon painting began in Europe during the Renaissance, and in Russia, it occurred much later, in the 17th century. Painting gradually displaced icons to the sidelines of history.

Icon. The Twelve Apostles icon from the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

Interest in icon painting resurged only in the early 20th century, but it took on a distinct scholarly and cultural character. Icons increasingly became objects for trade at auctions, fetching substantial sums in the West. In Russia, after 1917, the Soviet government ruthlessly suppressed religion, and works of religious art were mercilessly destroyed during anti-religious campaigns.

Today, the art of icon painting is slowly experiencing a revival, and the masterpieces of old masters adorn private and museum collections.

Icon. Carved icon of Archangel Michael

Visitors to the Very Important Lot platform can always participate in auctions selling masterpieces of art and antiques. Connoisseurs of beauty also have the opportunity to purchase icons directly from contemporary artists on our platform.