Paris, France
The origins of Sacred Art: From Icons to spiritual light
The roots of Russian painting stretch back to the Middle Ages, with the rise of religious icons as early as the 9th century. After Russia’s conversion to Christianity in 988 under Prince Vladimir, iconography became a powerful means of communicating the Orthodox faith.
Among the masters of this art, Andrei Rublev holds a central place. His most famous work, The Trinity, painted at the beginning of the 15th century, is an icon that at first glance appears simple and formal. However, each detail of this depiction of the Christian Trinity carries sacred meaning.
The art of icons, influenced by Byzantium, was not merely intended to depict religious scenes but to act as a window to the divine.
This mystical dimension permeated Russian art for centuries, even as Russia began opening itself to the West.