Russian icon painting began to emerge after the adoption of the Christian Orthodox faith by Russia. The art of icon painting came to Russia from Byzantium.
Many Christians believed that the Lord himself moved the hand of the icon painter. Being an icon painter was not easy, a person had to go through a rather difficult path.
It was the Russian icon painters who were able to perfect the images of the saints, discover their depth of content and spirituality.
In our article, you can find out the names of the most famous ancient Russian icon painters, the information about which is studied in the 4th grade, therefore it is also useful for an adult to know!
10. Prokhor “from Gorodets” (15th century)
Researchers suggested that the icon painter was a teacher of Andrei Rublev. Information about life and work Prokhor "from Gorodets" Yes, very few of our days have come. Those preserved in the Trinity Chronicle report that he, along with other famous icon painters, painted the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.
Experts suggest that Prokhor was much older and more experienced than other icon painters working with him, in the annals of him it was always spoken of as an “old man”.
Art historians ascribe to his brush the following works:
- "The Resurrection of Lazarus";
- "Ascension";
- The Last Supper;
- "Position in the coffin";
- "Assumption";
- "Crucifixion";
- "The Descent of the Holy Spirit";
- "Descent into Hell."
For reference: All of the above works are characterized by the same writing features, that is, the author, creating them, applied the technique of applying juicy glare, sharp highlights. Also on these images are similar figures of saints, they have small hands, island noses.
Art historians believe that the imprint on the work of the icon painter was postponed by acquaintance with the works of other Moscow masters, for example, Goitan, Ivan and some others.
9. Alexa Petrov (13th century)
According to chronicles, the icon painter Alexa Petrov lived and worked in the 13th century. Researchers believe that he most likely studied icon painting in Western Europe.
His works are made in the traditional Byzantine style, the images on them are dressed in Romanesque clothes, they have an ornament similar to what was in Byzantium.
For reference: The icon of Nikolai the Miracle Worker became the most famous work of Alexa Petrov; it was created for the Church of St. Nicholas on Lipna in 1294. Today this monument of ancient Russian art is kept in the Novgorod Museum-Reserve. The fact that the work belongs to the brush of this master, the researchers identified by the inscription in its lower field.
8. Alipy Pechersky (about 1070 - 1114)
Alipy Pechersky was a famous icon painter, mosaic artist, jeweler, who lived in the 9th century. He also had the status of the saint. I studied icon painting from Greek masters.
Art historians have found chronicles, according to which it became known that he was revered in Russia, possessed the gift of a healer, performed miracles, also the icons painted by him had miraculous power.
Unfortunately, the author’s works of the icon painter have not survived to the present day. In one of the sources it is reported that the artist painted five-figure Deesis, two local icons.
Some researchers also concluded that the icon painter wrote "Yaroslavl Oranta", which was subsequently donated to the Assumption Cathedral, located in Rostov.
7. Fedor Zubov (circa 1647 - 1689)
Artist Fedor Zubov was the head of the saluted icon painters at the Moscow Kremlin. Art historians believe that he wrote his work in the Baroque style.
He was the creator of a large number of icons, images of his brush can be seen on the walls of many Russian monasteries.
Interesting fact: the icon painter worked in the capital for more than 40 years, becoming a master at the royal court and receiving a salary for his work was pushed by misfortune in his family in the 1660s. hunger reigned.
Researchers of his work concluded that The main features of his works are:
- calligraphic style;
- the predominance of the decorative "pattern";
- the desire to combine the ancient traditions of icon painting and innovative achievements.
The most famous of his works are:
- "The Savior Not Made by Hands";
- "Saint Nicholas";
- "John the Baptist";
- "Nativity of the Virgin"
and some others.
6. Simon Ushakov (1626 - 1686)
Russian icon painter and graphic artist Simon Ushakov Born and lived in Moscow. He served in the Armory, his work was liked by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, so he never ran out of orders, he was revered at court.
Until our time, many works written by the master have survived, but many of them underwent restoration. The icons created by his brush testified to the fact that he was a very talented person, he was fluent in drawing techniques of those times.
Interesting fact: the painter did not seek to paint images in accordance with ancient patterns; he also looked at the trends of Western art, tried to invent new compositions, to give movement and character to the figures of saints.
His brush belongs to the following works:
- "Christ Emmanuel";
- “Christ is the Great Bishop”;
- "Our Lady of Eleusa of Kikk"
and some others.
5. Guri Nikitin (1620 - 1691)
Painter Guri Nikitin was one of the most famous masters of fresco and icon painting in the 17th century. Where and whom the artist studied his skill is unknown.
In the 1670s he worked in Moscow, where he became a respected icon painter. Art critics suggest that his brush belongs to the painting in the following temples:
- Holy Cross Cathedral in Romanov;
- Arkhangelsk Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin;
- Spassky Cathedral of the Spaso-Euthymius Monastery in Suzdal
and some others.
4. Dionysius (c. 1440 - 1502)
Researchers consider Moscow icon painter Dionysius the successor of the traditions of Andrei Rublev.
Interesting fact: the frescoes of the Ferapontov Monastery, owned by the icon painter’s brush, are perfectly preserved and allow art historians to learn as much as possible about the artist’s writing style. This work of the master was never subjected to serious restoration, therefore it was preserved almost in its original form.
Famous works of the icon painter include:
- painting of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin;
- murals of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin of the Ferapontov Monastery;
- "The Virgin Hodegetria";
- "Epiphany";
- "Descent into Hell"
other.
3. Daniel the Black (about 1350 - 1428)
Icon painter and monk Daniel Black was a contemporary of Andrei Rublev. He had the status of the saint. Art historians saw features borrowed from Byzantine masters in his works, in connection with which he was considered an artist of the older generation.
Interesting fact: researchers consider this icon painter a teacher Andrei Rublev. They often wrote their work together, so their work is difficult to distinguish. However, the aforementioned manner of writing by a senior artist suggests that his brushes belong to such icons as “Lono of Abraham”, “Our Lady”, “Apostle Paul” and some others.
2. Andrei Rublev (about 1360 - 1428)
This icon painter remained the most famous and revered in Russian history. He created a large number of works, was famous for his individual style, and was fluent in several artistic traditions.
His brushes ranked the following works:
- "Trinity";
- frescoes Church of the Savior in Andronikov Monastery, Church of the Holy Trinity in Trinity Monastery;
- “Affection”
and many others, but information about them cannot be called reliable.
1. Theophanes the Greek (about 1340 - about 1410)
Art critics believe that the artist Theophanes the Greek Born in Byzantium, it was there that he created his first works, which, unfortunately, have not survived to this day. The fame was brought to the author by works created when he lived in Russia.
The brushes of the master attribute the painting:
- Arkhangelsk Cathedral;
- Annunciation Cathedral
and others.
And also some icons: "Assumption of the Mother of God", "Don Icon of the Mother of God."