Do Icons need to be copied?

October 25, 2020 at 3:39 pm

I will say right away - definitely not! While we studying art we copy in order to learn the language of a particular art, the forms of expression. After that - the independent search time for every artist. Artists, need to find their own way of expression, their own language!

Any copy, even the best one, will be a poor imitation. Because it will not have the artist's soul participating in the creation moment. Emotions can not be imitated. Every line of brush, every stroke of color - the emotions of the moment are everywhere in an art work. Can it be imitated? The artist himself can not repeat his own feelings twice. Because, after a second, it is already a thing of the past!

So, what is the value of the copy?...

I often paint Icons, that recognize the Icon of particular time, school, century. I have never had the goal of repeating what has already been created and is brilliant. I want to pass on this beauty by putting my emotions, my soul in each touch of the brush and color.

Iconography is a specific and very beautiful art. The Icons must be recognizable, corresponding to the Canons, developed by the Church, long, long time ago. The Icons is not an object of the interior. The purpose of the Icon is to invite prayer, open a window to the Divine world, be a helping hand when it is needed. Therefore, the Icon must be lively, warm work of art.

And only the artist, with his emotions, when painting, can makes it so!

My version of the late 12th century Icon "Annunciation" from St.Catherine Monastery, Sinai.
Year painted: 2020.
This Icon I painted is in a private collection in the Netherlands.

Original. Painted in the late 12th century.

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My version of the 13th century Icon "Pelagonitissa" (also known as "The Virgin with the Playing Child").

Year painted: 2019. 37,5x26,5cm.

This Icon can be purchased at an Art Gallery in the United Kingdom. Click on the image and see the offer!

Original. The Church of St. George, Staro Nagoričane, Macedonia painted in the 13th century.