Monday, 14 July 2008
Sergei Zaryanko. A Portrait of the Turchaninov Family. 1848
A Portrait of the Turchaninov Family [Sergei Zaryanko, 1848]
There is a statement that never fails to get pointed (and loud) derision from me. “People have changed!” Huh? How? I could make a ribald suggestion or two… hmm… I can’t, this site isn’t even rated “R”, let alone “NC-17″. In short, it’s the same ol’ sinners committing the same ol’ sins that require the same ol’ sacraments so that we can win through to the same ol’ salvation. Usually, someone who is loudly proclaiming “change” is a slim shady not completely on the up and up. I am keeping my hand firmly on the clasp of my handbag, thank you very much…
Families have not changed in the least… let’s keep it that way!
Sergei Zaryanko. Christ the Saviour. 1864
Christ the Saviour (Sergei Zaryanko, 1864)
I much prefer our Russian style in portraying Christ rather than some of the so-called “Byzantine” models. To be frank, some look as though our Lord Christ had just finished sucking on a lemon (no irreverence intended to the Lord, much irreverence intended towards pseudo-experts). There are times when I think that there are those who would hold a bonfire of “Western” icons and art. Do you know what is comical? Many of those who wish such are those who never SAW an icon until they were well into adulthood! Go figure!
I say that this is Mr Zaryanko’s offering to his God. It is very good, indeed. Complain only if you can do better.
