Marina Triantafyllou - Byzantine Iconography

 

April 2-25 

 

Byzantine Iconography refers to distinct tradition and style embodied in Orthodox religious images painted during the Byzantine Empire, which lasted from the 5^th century to the fall of its capital, Constantinople, in the year 1453.  This rich tradition continues to this day, more than 1,500 years after the first images were created.

 

The icon offers an extended human expression of the holy transfigured body filled with the Holy Spirit.  By omitting everything irrelevant to the spiritual figure, the figure becomes stylized, spiritualized, not unrealistic – but supra-realistic.  The icon Figure is thereby aside from all other forms of pictorial art.

 

Today, icons are appreciated as art separate from their religious significance.