Orthodox Christian Iconography: Question about the place of the icongrapher

» Paul_A - Question about the place of the icongrapher

Dear Mr. Ellsworth,
Thank you for your response. I noticed on the group that, other than you and myself, no one has sent a message since January of 1998. Is there a reason why?
Pertaining to your question about the iconographer himself; I do not know what you understand about icons, but if you understand correctly you will know the connection between the icon and the iconographer.
If you read my "Theology of the Icon" page on my website http://www.traditionalicons.com, you will see the parallel between the two. One can not exist without the other. Not simply anyone may paint icons. One must be baptized into the Orthodox Church firstly, and then one is chosen by God. Artistic ability, and intillect is not a criteria for one to be an iconographer.
If you read my artical, you will see that the iconographer is not merely an artist, he is not merely a "talented" individual. He is not simply "gifted" in the arbitrary sence in which we use this word when we look upon secular art, or write a good secular book.
It is God the Holy Spirit which works with the iconographer in a literal way. The iconographer can not see him while he is painting the icon, but He is there non the less.
Prayer must be a constant while painting the icon, and when the iconographer is not painting, he must still have a prayerful mind and pray often. This along with fasting, and a sober Orthodox Christian lifestyle, along with frequent Holy Communion, will benefit him greatly in the aquisition of becoming more and more Grace filled, and therefore, becoming a blessed vesel and dwelling place of God, to the point, at which, his icons will improve in their appearence more and more, and the iconographers level of pioty will show forth within the icon.
The opposite is true as well. If the iconographer is indifferent about himself, and obeying the ordinances of God, and the less he fasts and prays, and the less he has little contrition in his heart, and lives a careless lifestyle, this too will show in his work.
The iconographer has a wonderful blessing bestowed upon him from God. He has the power to bring the Saints and God Himself to earth in a visible and very literal way; since the Spirit of God and His Saints dwell and take their abode in the icons, but at the same time, the iconographer has a bitter responsibility, because he is not simply painting for himself, but for the whole Church. Teaching them through the icon. The icon is theology. Teaching its people the truth about Christ, His people, what He taught us to believe concerning Himself---God and His Church. The icon must also be historically accurate, no imagination is allowed to enter into the icon. The iconographer is under strict guidlines to make sure nothing personal is put into the icon, and nothing historically or theologically is wrong about it.
The sins of the iconographer will show in his work as well. Not a particular sin, as such, but sin regardless, and if he, as I said, lives an unrepentent life of sin, without contrition, without the acknowledging his sinful nature,and living a life of humility, and if he does not fast and pray, and participates in the body and blood of Jesus Christ to infrequently, it will show in his icons.
Iconography is a great mystery in the Orthodox Church. It was given to us by God, and is not a man made creation, showing no more than a religious peraonage or event in history.
As far as the style the iconographer uses; one can not simply decide for himself how he wishes to stylize his work. There is Byantine style and Russian style. There are several style to Russian iconography; such as Novgorod, or Kiev or Moscow,or Stroginov. Romanians have a particular style. All these styles were developed within the Church, and given to us by the Hand of the Holy Spirit. Everything in the Church is divinely inspired: Iconography, Hymnography, Monatasicm, Psalmody, the Liturgics of every kind, etc, etc.
I hope I have answered your question to some degree. Please read my article as well, and if you have anymore questions, please feel free to contact me again. And by the way, the spelling of icon can be spelled with a "c" or a "k". "Icon" is the latin way, and "Ikon",is the Greek way.

May God bestow his love and have mercy on us all,

paul

-- posted by Paul_A