The Art of the Icon

The traditional religious icons of Eastern Europe are more than symbols of faith and objects of worship. They rank among some of Europe's great pictorial images, a highly stylized form that was perpetuated for generations, dating back to the earliest days of formalized Christianity. With stunning illustrations, this book evokes the visual impact of its sacred subject matter. It touches on the techniques of icon painting and covers all periods, including the early Christian Church, the Byzantine tradition, the Macedonian Renaissance, and the major and minor Russian schools from Kiev to Moscow.