Inessa Safronova. The Red Angels. 1997

The Red Angels

Inessa Safronova

1997

There’s Still More 12th Century New Roman Mosaics of the Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Nuova di Monreale. Monreale (Sicily) ITALY. 12th century

St Lawrence of Rome

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St John the Theologian

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Seraphim

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St Noe and the Ark

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Mother of God

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Mother of God Enthroned

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From the Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Nuova di Monreale in Monreale (Province of Palermo. Sicilia Autonomous Region) ITALY.

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin. 1918 in Petrograd (“Our Lady of Petrograd”). 1920

 

1918 in Petrograd (“Our Lady of Petrograd”)

Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin

1920

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This isn’t only one of the most iconic paintings in Russian art, it’s one of the few works that’s known universally not only by artists, but by art-lovers throughout the world. It’s one of that select group of paintings that’ve passed into universal recognition. Of course, it’s “iconic”, in more ways than one. This work could only have been painted by an artist familiar with Orthodox iconography, by a craftsman totally familiar with and steeped in the long history of Russian religious art. It doesn’t bear its popular title of “Our Lady of Petrograd” in vain. There are many explicit Madonnas that don’t convey the power and force of this canvas. Not only is the specifically feminine power of maternity brought forth, it illustrates the special creative and regenerative power of women in general. In short, it illustrates why we need a “Mother of God” as well as God. Is this one of my favourite works? Need you ask?

BMD

Mikhail Nesterov. The Most Holy Mother of God of Tenderness. 1909

The Most Holy Mother of God of Tenderness

Mikhail Nesterov

1909

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This is an example of the iconography executed by the great artist Mikhail Nesterov for the Marfa-Mariinskoye Obitel (Martha and Mary Convent) in Moscow. He also designed the habits of the sisterhood. Of course, it is not in the “approved” “Byzantine” style. Oh, dear! Let’s all shudder together in unison! No doubt, my faithful readers know my opinion on “Byzantine” iconography! Well… it hasn’t changed one whit since the last time! I remember a recent Anglo-Saxon convert excoriating me for using “Mother of God” instead of “Theotokos” and for championing “Western” icons. Firstly, we do NOT say “Theotokos” in Russian, we say “Bogoroditse” (She who bore God, the Godbearer). We also say… GASP! …”Bogomater” (Mother of God). Therefore, in English, “Mother of God” or “Godbearer” do quite nicely. As for “Theotokos”, that is an precious affectation best discarded. As for the complaint against “Western” icons, it was made by a person ignorant of Russian art history, so, as a Christian, I must extend forgiveness (to the person, not to the idea… that’s still absurd!). If Grand Princess St Yelizaveta Fyodrovna the New Martyr approved of Nesterov’s take on iconography, so do I! I do daresay that the blood of a martyr outweighs all the pseudo-scholarship from the usual cast of suspects.

BMD