The Art of Icon-Painting had its beginnings in the Roman Empire after Constantine the Great had converted to Christianity in 312. He not only made Christianity the state religion but also moved his capital to Byzantium, which was renamed Constantinople in 330.
It is believed that icons had their beginnings throughout the Empire. Their development was influenced by historical events and cultural circumstances. The most difficutl time for the icon art was the Iconoclasm (726-843). It was a 100-year long conflict between opponents and proponents of icons. Many of them were destroyed. However, they came to flourish in the Eastern Orthodox Church in the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire.
After having looked at some icons, you may notice that
icons only appear to have a width and a height. The "third" dimension of an icon, depth goes beyond what the eye can see. It is
spiritual. Because of their profound spiritual meaning, they are often called "Windows into Heaven."
It is important to point out that an icon is not a work of art only illustrating the Holy Scriptures but it also constitutes a
confession of religious truths. Everything shown in an icon is
symbolic.
If you have never looked at icons before, it is a good opportunity to visit Museum of Icons in Suprasl, in the south-east of Poland. I can highly recommend it to you.
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