ikonimaalauksia

Ikonimaalauksia, often translated as icon painting, is a traditional art form primarily associated with Eastern Orthodox Christianity. These are not merely decorative pictures but rather sacred images intended to facilitate prayer and contemplation. Icons are considered windows to the divine, depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary (Theotokos), saints, angels, and biblical events. The style is highly stylized and symbolic, departing from naturalistic representation. Figures are often elongated, with a distinctive use of gold leaf backgrounds symbolizing divine light. The colors themselves carry theological meaning, with red often representing divinity and blue humanity, for example.

The creation of icons follows a strict canon, passed down through generations of iconographers. This canon dictates not only the subject matter but also the materials, techniques, and even the spiritual preparation of the artist. Pigments are typically made from ground minerals and natural substances, bound with egg tempera. The process is devotional, often involving prayer and fasting. Icons are not signed by their creators in the Western sense, as the artist is seen as a humble instrument of God's revelation, rather than an individual artist expressing personal style. The icon's purpose is to convey theological truths and inspire spiritual connection, not to showcase artistic virtuosity for its own sake. They are venerated, kissed, and used in liturgical services and private devotion.