 The
icon at the end of the XX century — is a complex and controversial
phenomenon and its place in contemporary art has not been
finally determined.
What is it - an image of the invisible or perceptible reality?
Russian Orthodoxy is over 1000. As time passes such a phenomenon
as the contemporary icon, the icon of the late XX century
will be as thoroughly studied as today is the icon-painting
of times past and the attitude towards the icon of the XX
century will become more defined and historically significant.
Perhaps then one will understand the difficulties of a contemporary
icon-painter’s search: for in contrast to a secular artist
an icon-painter strives to convey the ultimate power of the
prototype, perceive and restore bit by bit the all-but-lost
wealth of the past traditions.
Contemporary icon-painting is determined by a variety of different
styles and artistic devices, however in this variety there
are principal guides – the Orthodox canon and permanent refinement
of the skills at the ancient craft.
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