17th Century Russian Orthodox Iconography

The importance of iconography to the Russian culture cannot be underemphasized. Until the fall of the Imperial Russian government in 1917, the Church represented the best and the most prolific source of Russian art. In modern times the Church became a persecuted church, with much of its great art hidden, lost or dispersed. Yet as the Church reestablishes itself in today's Russia, the skill and faith of modern ecclesiastical artists also is reborn.

There are many sources of information on the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, and especially noteworthy are the online galleries of Russian ecclesiastical art and icons. For a look at comparative styles of early icons and 17th century icons, go to my mini-gallery of Russian icons. For a historical perspective, the evolution of the Church can be found at these sites:

University of Toronto's Russian History page, text (in part)by Arthur Voyce. Historian of Russian art and architecture. Author of "The Art and Architecture of Medieval Russia" and others. Copyright (c) 1995 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.

A Short History of the Orthodox Christian Church in Russia, a visually beautiful and richly informative web page of the Orthodox Church in Moscow.

About.com's Russian Culture page which also has some interesting links.

If you are interested in more information about Russian iconography, here are some excellent resources:

History of Ikons, a web site by modern icon artist Bob Atchison. His contemporary interpretations of ancient Russian icons are stunning, and the site offers guidance in learning to paint them yourself.

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, in Meriden, Connecticut, has created this page for its congregation and visitors to learn more about liturgy, history and daily life of the Church in the United States. Its explanation of the significance of iconography to the Church is comprehensive.

Collectors of Russian icons will find a source for 17th, 18th and 19th century works at The Antique Gallery in Alaska. Other Russian collectibles are available at The Russian American Company.

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