The Artistry of Icons: God, Prayer & Appreciation
While reading Terry Glaspey’s book, 75 Masterpieces Every Christian Should Know, I became captivated by the work of the 15th century Russian monk, Andrei Rublev, one of the greatest medieval painters known for his icons. Rublev set the standard, if you will, but Glaspey revealed icons to me in a whole new light.
For as long as I can remember, icons have not appealed to me as an art and that’s because I had the meaning entirely wrong. One does not pray to an icon (a contemporary perspective), one prays through an icon. An icon is intended to be an aid to prayer; a stimulus for praying. An icon evokes a stillness and a focus for the attentive. Icons prepare us to pray.
Icons are painted in such a way that their style has become as much a tradition as God’s word. Individual expression is not the goal. The figure is not to be idolized. These paintings are an invitation to join the holy and the divine. God is seen as approachable, awesome and mysterious. With a heart that is open, an icon becomes a place to meet God - a doorstep to meet his presence. A holy aura is communicated via a shiny gold background. They are the “gate of the visible; the mystery of the invisible.”
A few years ago, a visit I made to a small Orthodox chapel in Northern Russia captivated my heart and awakened my soul. From floor to ceiling in this holy space, the walls were covered in framed gold-drenched icons. In the center of the room, was a bible on a podium. When light entered through one small window, the rays of the sun were cast directly upon it.
Last autumn, we toured an “icon workshop” in Greece. We watched as artists used Mahl sticks to control their hand for accuracy and consistency. Throughout the workshop, various icons representing the bible were visible. I understood that the consistent precision of each icon was important to the representation of the bible and to those who could not read over the centuries. They were honoring a tradition that honors the word of God.
After spending some time with the artists and their family, we purchased one of the Icons for our home as a keepsake of our visit and to remind us of the sacredness of their craft. The traditional craft of icon artistry is intended to draw us into the quiet for a moment of prayer.
At that moment, I turned everything off around me and sat in stillness. I felt soft tears of peace wash over my face as I softly prayed to God while reciting one of my favorite bible verses from the book of Psalms, “Be Still and Know I am God.” It was as though I could feel His presence.
From a monk’s hand in the 15th century to today, the art of the icon has not changed. Their message is consistent and timeless. The icon acts as a visual cue, a “calling card” from God to encourage us to walk in His presence for prayer and meditation. The trueness of the word of God never goes void and never goes “out of style.”
Directives:
Give yourself permission to sit still in a quiet place to read the word of God. Pray and reflect to welcome in His Presence.
To start the new season, find joy. Reflect and embrace joy through all seasons.
Where do you sit on prayer day?
How did He speak to your heart with joy?