Scary Looking Icons

[Sicilian]

Here’s an example of a harsh looking icon.
I see what you mean, they do indeed look stern, angry even! Maybe the idea the artists were attempting to get across was for the people to take Christianity very seriously? I have to agree with you, Western art is much more inspiring, as well as heart-warming.

http://www.grecianimports.com/religious/icons07SM.jpg

He looks like he’s frowning. I notice many of the eastern icons have this frowning countenance on the faces of the subjects. What is the philosophy behind this style?

Also, some of them have a primative art style that has a very small head on the baby Jesus, who looks odd. Look at this one. The proportions of the subjects are not realistic, and the artwork isn’t really that great. Mary and her child look so unhappy.

http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/pics/032_mdd_oumilenie.jpg

 

[Volodymyr_988]

As a Sicilian, you should know that Sicily was part of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Greek speaking and utilized that style of Iconography up until the Norman invasion.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Here’s an example of a harsh looking icon

**St. Nicholas in this icon looks to me like he’s smiling! Be patient. You’ll see them smile after a while.

icons are NOT supposed to be “realistic” according to the canons of Western naturalistic art. They are supposed to show spiritual truth and beauty.

It’s like plainsong. It’s not supposed to sound like popular, folk, or concert music.**

 

[Sicilian]

Volodymyr 988, And your point is?

 

[Volodymyr_988]

The point is, it’s part of your heritage. You may want to investigate Iconography further to learn more about why they look like they do.

Have you seen Carolingian art/iconography? It looks similar. I don’t know how anyone can call religious art which deals with the Saints and Heaven scary.

Now, this one is scary:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

But, it doesn’t fall into the category of an Icon, or does it?

 

[Sicilian]

I guess the fact that my ancestors were with-in the “Patriarchate of Constantinople”, is a point. But the art is none-the-less scary.

I don’t know many people who have an all encompassing knowledge of the history of art via their lineage? If they do, GREAT!

It is quite easy to call ANY type of art scary, if it LOOKS scary, it is indeed scary. You seem a bit too sensitive of my opinion. It is just that, an opinion. Pretty simple. No sin there!

Perhaps you could enlighten me about Carolingian art/iconography? I know very little about art. I am an M.D. not an art expert.

By all means, please do inform me, as you seem to know a great deal about this subject. I would love to learn more, truly.

Next time I believe I should stick to the simple and basic queries about Catholicism. I was just taken aback by the work of art. I guess I am out of my element here.

By the way; I was drawn to the Church after my brother was in a horrific hit-and-run car accident (a month ago today). He was burned to the bone in many places, he lost his face, (including ears, nose and eyes) as well as his hands. I wanted to understand the deific process behind such things.

I hoped to discover how I could help my beloved brother. With Jesus and the love and knowledge of the wonderful loving people, of His Church, like you, I hope to do so.
May God Bless You, And Thank-You.

Jeff (Sicilian)

 

[Miserissima]

1. Irish Melkite, THANK YOU for the links you kindly provided earlier.

I think the solemnity of a saint reflected in an icon reflects that they are in the presence of God – whether spiritual or physical. I wouldn’t take that lightly, either.

One other tidbit:

an iconographer doesn’t sign his or her work, as to do so is to take credit for God’s inspiration, as transmitted through the hands of His servant, the iconographer, and is deemed to be an expression of personal pride that is unworthy of the iconographer

I just wanted to throw in that the Amish females do something similar – some women consider what would be a “perfect” quilt would believe that it be an affront to God’s own perfection so there may be a small flaw in thier version of the Glory of God.

1. I wanted to share my favorite icon of all time - St. Peter and his wife - I have found it’s a very rare subject to have spouses together (mainly, I suppose many of those worthy of an iicon were not married):

3.** I would like to ask you about the icons that are honored by very ornate silver or gold frames** – not plating, either. Can some link or post a pic of what I mean? When did thes start and why do folks do it? Once a frame is put on, does i mean that it cannot be moved, or should not be moved? Are the frames separate-able from the icon, or held on permanently? Thank you for understanding my i’gnance with these questions.

 

[Pani_Rose]

http://www.hellenic-art.com/painted/st. sebastian.jpg
St Sebastian is scary looking

Wouldn’t want to be there.

Then there is St. Fanourios(below), the orginal must be really scary…

A fortuitous discovery by nomadic pagans, not Christians, brought to light this unheralded saint when a roving band of Arabs, who had pillaged the island of Rhodes uncovered amid the ruins of an ancient church a group of icons, among other artifacts. All of the icons were in a state of decay or near ruin with the exception of one, which appeared as new and as fresh as though it had been painted the day before. This icon was discarded by the Arabs, ;who failed to attach any importance to it. At a safe distance a group of monks hiding in the rubble observed this phenomenon and waited patiently until the Arabs had left the scene, whereupon they rushed to reclaim this fantastic image in its remarkable state of preservation.

They beheld a clearly outlined face of a saint with the name inscribed in what appeared to be fresh lettering that spelled out “Fanourios” and on closer examination fell on their knees at what they saw. Drawn about the saint were twelve distinct frames in each of which Fanourios was shown enduring a cruel form of torture in a realism that suggested the artist must have been witness to the atrocity. They rushed back to see if any of the other icons were in as perfect a state, but although they were all of the same basic design, size, and shape, all of them were quite ancient and quite indistinct. After careful scrutiny it was finally concluded that this icon of fanou4rios had, indeed , been one of a group that had been exhumed after untold centuries and that its freshness was a divine manifestation of the complete saintliness of this man about whom they were now determined to learn more.

But years of research, scanning the archives of centuries and questioning the leading authorities of the day, yielded nothing, and no more was known about Fanourios than the day on which his icon was snatched from the ruins of that ancient Greek church. The torture scenes of the icon provided no clues, and examination of which showed Fanourios being stoned, on the rack, being slashed, behind bars, standing before a judge, tied to a frame, being =burned with candles, tied to a post, thrown to wild animals, crushed by a boulder, holding hot coals, and a demon hovering against a background of flames. All of these horrors conveyed that Fanourios was an apparently indestructible instrument of God and that in itself was sufficient evidenced of his sainthood.

http://www.saintfanourios.org/images/SainFanourios.jpg

 

[Volodymyr_988]

I guess the fact that my ancestors were with-in the “Patriarchate of Constantinople”, is a point. But the art is none-the-less scary.

I don’t know many people who have an all encompassing knowledge of the history of art via their lineage? If they do, GREAT!

It is quite easy to call ANY type of art scary, if it LOOKS scary, it is indeed scary. You seem a bit too sensitive of my opinion. It is just that, an opinion. Pretty simple. No sin there!

Perhaps you could enlighten me about Carolingian art/iconography? I know very little about art. I am an M.D. not an art expert.

By all means, please do inform me, as you seem to know a great deal about this subject. I would love to learn more, truly.

Next time I believe I should stick to the simple and basic queries about Catholicism. I was just taken aback by the work of art. I guess I am out of my element here.

By the way; I was drawn to the Church after my brother was in a horrific hit-and-run car accident (a month ago today). He was burned to the bone in many places, he lost his face, (including ears, nose and eyes) as well as his hands. I wanted to understand the deific process behind such things.

I hoped to discover how I could help my beloved brother. With Jesus and the love and knowledge of the wonderful loving people, of His Church, like you, I hope to do so.
May God Bless You, And Thank-You.

Jeff (Sicilian)

You wanna talk about scary, how about when your cadaver in Gross Anatomy looks at you as you walk to the table. Those Icons are not that scary. What is it about them that you find scary?

I’m sorry to read about your brother. I will pray for him and you.

 

[Sicilian]

Thank-You for the prayers, to be honest we both need them. You are very kind.
This whole “Scary Icon” issue has grown quite old, and it really does-not matter to me.

Thank-You again for the prayers, they mean more than you will ever know!
Your (new) friend, Jeff (Sicilian)

 

[Volodymyr_988]

Sicilian,

I sent you a Private Message.

I hope you read it.

God Bless You,

Volodka