Andrei Rublev - the founder of the Moscow school of painting, the artist, the author of frescoes and icons, including the world-famous work "Christmas".
information about his life history is little known.The name given to him when Andrew monastic vows.Secular historians do not know the name of the icon painter.In the few survivors reportedly contemporaries Rublev was modest, humble, quiet man.
He came from a family of painters.His whole life was devoted to the monastic service.The fame of him as a painter came quite early.
Briefly about the life and work of Andrei Rublev
Some sources claim that he was born in the Moscow principality, some call his birthplace Novgorod.Approximate date of birth is 1380.
year of his death and burial place known for certain.In 1428 the painter is buried in the Saviour-St, which is currently a museum named after him.
relatively detailed information about his life and work appeared in 1918, when during the restoration of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir was cleared of its frescoes and icons found in Zvenigorod.The most striking composition of the frescoes Rublev is considered the "Last Judgment."Gloomy scene painter presented as a triumph of supreme justice and is not gloomy, but rather a festive character.
Early Works Rublev is characterized by warm emotional coloring.The works written in this period, imbued with reverent joy and spiritual beauty.One of the most famous is considered an icon of "Christmas Christ."
later life Rublev associated with the beginning of intestine wars in Russia that resulted in the destruction of moral ideals.Inner harmony author did not find support from outside, which is clearly reflected in the work of this time.The images and colors get darker.
from 1425 till 1427 Andrey Rublev in alliance with Daniel Black created the iconostasis of the Trinity Cathedral in the Trinity-Sergius Monastery.
have been preserved only a small part of the master.His authorship belongs to "Trinity", "Descent into Hell", "The Annunciation", "The Ascension", "Candlemas."
Icon of the Nativity: a description and date
icon is painted on lime board.Since its completion in 1405 is considered.To this day the icon is preserved in satisfactory condition.In the lower left corner in place of bonding the boards, imposed a new layer of gesso oblong spots.Bottom right also has two inserts.Former gesso been lost around the perimeter of the icon.Vermilion border is preserved only in the upper part.On the field, the icons in the head of baby Jesus, visible damage to the nails hidden wax and gesso.Small patches are also apparent on the face of the Virgin Mary, the cloak and tunic.
icon on the front of the field, from the top to the bottom of passes crack.Another layer has a gesso in the central region of the composition.Time heavily thinned, and in many places destroyed the layer of paint icons.Gold, which had been painted halos, angels' wings, pieces of clothing and font, almost completely lost.Images of the saints and the gaps in robes remained weak.In the most complete form - and the faces of the shepherds.
composition and color icons
Icon "Christmas" is made in the greenish-yellowish, white, translucent shades of olive.With this selection of colors and shades the whole image seem airy and insubstantial.
In the center of the composition is shown lying on a bed cinnabar Mother of God, dressed in a dark red robe (mafory).She is reclining, leaning on his arm, turned away from the baby.Behind her, a clear pattern emerges black caves, where there was Christmas.Andrei Rublev Icon image of Mary is dominant over the other figures in the composition.
Top depicted nursery, is directly adjacent to the bed of the Virgin.Newborn Christ enveloped in a white veil tied with cinnabar swaddle, which indicates that this baby - the Messiah. Icon "Christmas", meaning, and its meaning will no doubt clear and close, not only believers, but people somehow familiar with the history of the origin of the Orthodox holiday.
At the top right shows two angels, praising the birth of Christ, on the opposite side, and the top - the three Magi on horseback.In the lower box on the right depicts the scene of bathing the baby Jesus with two maidens.Currently icon "Nativity" is located in the Annunciation Cathedral in the Kremlin, where it can see everyone.
history icon
icon was saved from destruction in 1960.Director of the Nizhny Novgorod regional museum brought it out of the ruined temple, thus saving up to now.From Nizhny Novgorod masterpiece secretly taken to Moscow.However, the capital's restorers are not immediately able to identify the true story - Christmas.Andrei Rublev Icon was hidden under a layer of colorful 19th century.
Iconography event
Birth of Jesus Christ - the greatest holiday for Christians all over the world at all times.This event marked the birth of the Savior.However, the Orthodox masters, respecting the tradition, added to their work specific details that give them more vitality and warmth.Adoration of the Magi, baby bath, slavoslovyaschie angels Telling complement the event.Andrei Rublev is a unique example of Orthodox iconography of Christ's birth.Glee and joy filled not only religious rituals dedicated to this day, but the icon of the Nativity.Orthodox way of this festival is based on the rules of the Byzantine letter, which is characterized by strict adherence to the canons and dogmatic precision.
Icons of the Feasts tier
Creation of the great icon painter rightfully occupy an important place in the treasury of the Russian Orthodox painting.Dogmatic stories the author painted a warm emotional and philosophical content.
Icon of the Nativity of Christ is part of a cycle of celebratory icons: "The Annunciation", "Christmas", "Candlemas", "Baptism," "Raising of Lazarus", "Transformation", "Entry into Jerusalem".Despite the fact that the membership of these works Rublev authorship is not confirmed for sure, they are made in compliance with all copyright techniques that are used in his work painter.
Christmas in the works of other artists
Andrei Rublev was not the only author whose work reflected the greatest event for all Christians.His hand belongs to a famous sample canonical paintings on the theme of the birth of the Messiah: the icon of the Nativity.Description of the works of other authors largely repeats the contents of Rublev's masterpiece.This situation is largely due to the fact that based Rublev Moscow School of Painting was a large number of followers.
Bethlehem Church of the Nativity: Icon
As mentioned above, the birth of Jesus - a great event, one of the few laid the foundations of the Christian faith.It is shaped not only the whole direction of iconography, but also left a huge mark on the church architecture.
Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is considered as one of the greatest ever existing Christian shrines.It was built in 325 BC.e.on the site of the cave where, according to legend, was born baby Jesus.In 529, the church burned during the revolt of the Samaritans, but soon was completely restored during the reign of Emperor Justinian.
One of the most famous icons of the temple is considered to be a miraculous image of Our Lady of Bethlehem, performing the prayers of all asylum.Among the parishioners and tourists it enjoys the same popularity as the icon of the Nativity Rublevskaya.In Bethlehem, the annual influx of worshipers several hundred thousand people.
Special hallmark of the image is that it depicts the Virgin smiling, while traditional religious painting of the face of the Mother of God expresses grief or emotion.One of the most striking works created in such traditions, is an icon of "Christmas".The value of its characters to the Orthodox faith is difficult to overestimate.
on one of the 44 columns of the Temple is mirotochaschy image of the Savior, which faithful Christians also considered miraculous.
It causes the same awe and reverence as the icon of the Nativity.The Orthodox all over the world come to Bethlehem to pay homage to these holy places.In the decoration of the temple have survived the precious mosaics of the time of King Constantine.
main shrine
main part of the temple - the cave in which was born Jesus Christ.The place of his birth marked the silver star in the marble floor and surrounded by 15 burning lamps.5 of them belong to the Armenians, 4 - Catholics and 6 - Greek Orthodox denomination.The cave is deep, elongated shape, its length - about 12 meters, width - 4 meters.
Near the Christmas star is the throne of "Holy Manger" where you can see the wax image of the baby Jesus.
