Icons hold a special place of importance in Russian history, culture, and art. Imported along with the Orthodox religion from Byzantium, icon painting was adopted by Russian artists and became integral to Russian religion. Andrei Rublev, a Russian monk of the 15th century, was an icon painter who embarked upon a new Russian tradition of icon painting.
Andrei Rublev's Life
Little is known about Andrei Rublev. It is uncertain when he was born, but scholars think it was sometime during the latter half of the 14th century. Rublev probably became a monk early in life. He is connected with the Troitse-Sergiyeva Monastery in Sergiyev Posad, as well as with the Andronik Monastery, where he is buried. Rublev died in 1430.
Artistic Education of Andrei Rublev
The monastery of Troitse-Sergiyeva in was an ideal place for a would-be icon painter. Within its walls were craftsmen and artisans who could teach their skills to others. This available education combined with religious teachings, and icon painting developed at an increased rate under these favorable conditions.
Rublev's artistic education came most notably from a Greek icon painter, Theophanes. Rublev assisted Theophanes, along with another icon paintor, Prokhor, in his early education. Though Rublev was initially under the influence of Theophanes, one aspect of Rublev's art that makes it so important is the divergence from Theophanes' style into a style that was completely his own. Through the development of his own style, he became an icon master painter.
Rublev's Works and Style
The figures in Rublev's icons are described as serene, compassionate, and graceful. His work is characterized by delicate lines, harmonious use of color, and intentional departure from the the austerity of Greek icon painting.
Rublev is famous for the icon Spas, or Savior, which is painted on wood, and depicts Christ with an elongated face and a soft gaze. This icon from 1420 was almost destroyed in the 20th century but was miraculously rescued before it was burned. This icon was part of an icon screen, though the other panels of the screen have not survived. Spas is in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
Rublev's masterpiece is considered to be his Old Testament Trinity and was painted during the last part of his life. In this icon, the bowed heads of the figures and the blues and golds of their clothing are the focus of the piece; Rublev removed figures that appeared in earlier versions of the icon to simplify the idea of the Trinity. This work resides in Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery.
Andrei Rublev continues to be recognized as one of Russia's great artists.
References
Billington, James H. The Face of Russia: Anguish, Aspiration, and Achievement in Russian Culture. New York: T.V. Books, 1998. 31-45.
Massie, Suzanne. Land of the Firebird: The Beauty of Old Russia. Blue Hill: Heart Tree Press, 1980. 42.
Talbot Rice, Tamara. A Concise History of Russian Art. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1963. 120-125.
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