The Mystical Language of Icons

by Solrunn Nes

This lavishly illustrated guide to iconography explains through words and pictures the history, meaning, and purpose of Christian icons as well as the traditional methods that religious painters use to create these luminous, spiritually enlivened works of art. Solrunn Nes, one of Europe's most admired iconographers, illuminates the world of Christian icons, explaining the motifs, gestures, and colors common to these profound symbols of faith. Nes explores in depth a number of famous icons, including those of the Greater Feasts, the Mother of God, and a number of the better-known saints, enriching her discussion with references to Scripture, early Christian writings, and liturgy. She also leads readers through the process and techniques of icon painting, showing each step with photographs, and includes more than fifty of her own original works of art. Deeply inspiring and utterly unique, "The Mystical Language of Icons" will inform both those who are familiar with the rich tradition of religious art and those who are not. It also serves as a powerful devotional resource in its own right, one that Christians everywhere can turn to again and again.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2000

Reviews

[Paul Henderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

The content and explanations about Icon styles are decent but one must beware. This is an odd book. Nes is using this book as a showcase for all her own iconography and it is more like an advertisement of her skills. She does touch on many different iconography styles but all within her own icons only. And it shows, all the icons retain her unique style. Near the end of the book, there are reviews of her icons, a long list of her exhibitions and Non Orthodox temples she has painted her icons in. I had to do my own research and it seems she is not Orthodox but RC or something else. Since I run a library, I will not be keeping this book for our patrons. It is too much a showcase and advertisement for Nes as opposed to an objective book on Orthodox icons. I would recommend one of the many other icon books that show real icons form the Orthodox World and explain them in depth.

[Douglas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected collections of icons with teaching about how to use icons as a spiritual discipline. That's not what this is. There are descriptions about how to make icons. Russian vs. Greek methods are explained. Then the author states that icons are out of the Orthodox tradition so the only reason icons exist is to teach Orthodox theology. Any inspiration outside of Orthodox theology is to be rejected. You will not find a copy of the icon of the trinity as three women here. I don't relate to the view of church that says to the faithful, "Just repeat what we tell you." Each of the icons is followed by a description of what it looks like and some details concerning the subject.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins with, 'Like all other art, the art of the Orthodox Church developed within a particular culture and consequently may only be understood in the context of its own history. At the same time there is something timeless and universal about the icon.' It suggests that there is a dichotomy between understanding icons as a member of the Orthodox Church and other Christian Churches. However, the author does not dwell on this but rather outlines clearly a way of comprehending the Orthodox icons. In the first part of the book the author covers just what an icon is and its importance in the Orthodox and to a lesser extent the Catholic Church. The author refers to icons as a way to deepen your spirituality. That there is an increasing interest by Westerners to understand and appreciate these Orthodox icons. For we live in a world full of nonstop visual stimuli and the contemplative nature of icons counters that stimuli. In this book the word 'icon in English refers to painting in the Orthodox tradition using egg tempera on prepared wooden panel and classified as New Byzantinism'. The book demonstrates the practical development of an icon and then moves onto the concepts of truth,beauty and holy objects behind each icon. Icons are definitely far removed from contemporary art in the Western world. The icon is a work more of discipline than inspiration. Its content is determined by Holy Scriptures and Church Tradition. 'The icon is never complete in itself'. Rather a part of religious practice. An icon is rule bound. It is an expression of a community's faith which is shaped by 'the fellowship of the Saints'. The book refers to an equivalence between words and images in the Eastern Orthodox faith. Although not as ingrained in the Catholic faith there is a certain value placed on icons in our church. Icons have a teaching role as much as written aspects of faith. What is interesting is that the forms of iconographic techniques and images have differed very little from their original creation being passed from master to apprentice through the generations. The second part of the book is more subjective. It covers a number of icon motifs, many being saints like St Peter, St Paul, St John the Theologian. They also cover important events in the Church's history like, The Annunciation, The Nativity, The Transfiguration. Each icon motif has a full page illustration of that icon and on the opposite page some writing to explain its heritage and meaning. There definitely seems to be a place for icons in todays faith as we continue to search for greater meaning within our contemporary spiritual lives.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to learn more about these mysterious, stern figures in the background of many of my happy childhood memories. This book is actually quite fascinating.

[Jacques-jude Lépine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good general intro to technique and it's theological foundations. Not a lot in the description of icons themselves