Product Description

Byzantine and Russian Orthodox icons are perhaps the most enduring form of religious art ever developed--and one of the most mysterious. This book, featuring the painted panels made for churches and for prayer at home, provides an accessible guide to their story and power. Illustrated mostly with Cretan, Greek, and Russian examples from the British Museum, which houses Britain's most important collection of icons, the book examines icons in the context of the history of Christianity, as well as within the perspective of art history.

Robin Cormack, a preeminent expert on the subject, explains how icons were made, framed, and displayed. He investigates their subject matter, showing how scenes can be identified, how the iconography developed over centuries, and what role portraiture plays in their imagery. Icons have not lost their power in much of the world, and Cormack considers their continuing use in our day--whether in a religious setting or as an inspiration to modern-day artists like Matisse.

A uniquely accessible and authoritative introduction to this distinctive art form, Icons defines its subject's unusual place at the intersection of religion, Russian culture, and art history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #453140 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

Review
"'They are really great art. I am in love with their moving simplicity which, to me, is closer and dearer than Fra Angelico. In these icons the soul of the artist who painted them opens out like a mystical flower. And from them we ought to learn how to understand art.' Henri Matisse"

About the Author
Robin Cormack is a Professor Emeritus of Art History at the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London. He is an editor for the Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Studies, and has written many books, including Byzantine Art.

Customer Reviews

Important Documentary of Icons
Knowledgable presentation of the origin, meaning, creation, and use of icons. Great color photographs of the icons with sufficient detail to understand their artistic merit and relgious purpose. The end of the book provides small, color photographs with detail of the icons in the collection of the British Museum, making this book a "must have" for reference. A fabulous buy at this price and a scholarly, yet easy read for those unfamilar with the Byzantine icongraphy that spread to Greece and Russia. You gotta love this book.