May 14, 2001

Andrey Rublev


Andrey Rublev

Little is known about the life of this Russian painter and iconographer. His life spanned, roughly, the years 1360 - 1430. It is difficult to positively identify works to Rublev as Russian painters, especially iconographers, did not sign their work until the 1600's. Historians have had to rely on written testimony and the study of the artist's unique style to determine which works belong to Rublev.

Rublev became a monk in the latter part of his life. He, first, entered St. Sergius Lavra and later moved to Andronikov Monastery in Moscow. As a painter, he was associated with Theophanes the Greek {the immigrant master from Constantinople} as a student and/or assistant. Written documentation provides no doubt that Rublev was the author of the famous Old Testament Trinity icon which resided in the Holy Trinity Cathedral at St. Sergius and now is housed in the State Tretyakov Gallery, in Moscow.

"Our Lady of Vladimir"Rublev was tutored in the Byzantine style of icon painting. The emphasis was on the spiritual essence of the work rather than the accuracy of proportions.

The Byzantine style of the 1300's had become less harsh and more intimate. Both of these characteristics are seen in Our Lady of Vladimir, above, which is an early Rublev work.

Rublev quickly developed a style of his own. To the softer impressions of the 14th century Byzantine method, he added something that is uniquely Russian; a mystical, spiritual sense of not being of this world. Rublev's deep, rich colors, gentle lines and faces which seem to gaze, lovingly, at us from heaven itself are what sets him apart from all other iconographers.Other works attributed to Rublev include the Feasts of the Church tier of the iconostasis in the Cathedral of the Annuciation {Moscow}, various icons and frescos in the Assumption Cathedral {Vladimir} and wall paintings done during the early 1400's at the Dormition Cathedral {Vladimir}.

The importance and significance of the Holy Trinity icon lies in Old Testament context. The Trinity includes God the Father, God the Son {Jesus Christ} and God the Holy Spirit. In western thought, the Trinity is generally associated with the New Testament, after the appearance of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Rublev portrayed a very Eastern Orthodox bit of theology in his icon. In Orthodoxy, the Trinity is believed to have been in existence from the time of Creation. Rublev's Holy Trinity represents the guests of Abraham and Sarah {Genesis 18:2-15} who announced that Sarah would bear a child in her old age. Many Westerners consider this threesome to have been God and two angels.

The other interesting point about Rublev's icon is the three figures appear as relative equals of the same age. Again, many Western paintings of the Trinity depict God the Father as an elderly man and the Son and Spirit as much younger. This further displays the difference in theology on the issue of the appearance of the individuals of the Trinity.

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955