COPY OF RUBLEV'S ICON OF THE HOLY TRINITY
I fear that every lover of traditional Eastern Icons will shudder at this copy of St. Andrei Rublev's Icon of the Blessed Trinity. My good friend commissioned it for the cover of his ordination invitations and will be ordained to the priesthood in the near future. As a draftsman who is relatively unschooled as a painter, I feel that I have transgressed the rules surrounding sacred icons by rendering this piece in pen and ink. That being said, it was still a great spiritual experience for me to research the icon and pray before and during the execution of this copy.
For those who have never seen the icon, the scene is taken from the book of Genesis and the story of Abraham's three angelic visitors who prophesied the birth of Isaac. Early Christian theologians immediately saw this encounter to be an subtle forerunner of the Divine Trinity, three persons in One God.
I was struck while working on this project by the stark contrast between western Christian artists and their eastern counterparts. Art history in the west has not expected its Christian artists to be saintly or holy, but the east expects its iconographers to be holy in both their personal lives and in the execution of their work. Generally, it seems that the west is marked by pride in its work, while the east is marked by selflessness(Icon painters do not sign their work, and in this instance neither have I). Having finished this poor copy, I stand in awe of their dedication and their legacy of sacred art.
"One can say without fear of contradiction, that nowhere in the world is there anything like [Andre Rublev's icon of the Holy Trinity] from the point of view of theological synthesis, symbolic richness and artistic beauty." -Paul Evdokimov
WELCOME!
I appreciate your time and your interest in my work. If you are interested in knowing more about me and my philosophy of art, please feel free to scroll to the bottom of this page. I would rather spare those who have no interest in such things from having to read about me before looking at my work. God bless you :)
The Vocation of the Artist
I firmly believe that art is meant to serve others, especially in lifting the hearts of people, through "ephiphanies of beauty," (John Paul II's letter to artists) to the contemplation and the glory of God. The artist participates in a unique way in the inspiration of the Creator of all things, and knows something of His joy in the act of creation, for "the act of creation is an act of love."(The Agony and the Ecstacy) This act is essentially bound up with the mystery of the Incarnation of Jesus, in which what had been invisible was made visible in His person, His life and work, and finally in His death and resurrection. The artist is exhorted by the very perception of his gift to its service. Art is not merely, nor should it ever be, a vehicle for selfish ends or cheap shock and awe, but it must seek to give joy to the lives of others. The artist is then in the end merely a servant of truth, beauty, and goodness, and his work must serve to convey these to a wider audience. "Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 15-16)I believe that the artist finds in the lives of Jesus, and of His foster father Joseph, essential role models, especially in their hidden life at Nazareth. Though very little is handed down to us in the Gospels or in tradition illuminating this period in Jesus' life, I believe that this hidden, simple, carpenter's life of "working quietly" (2 Thessalonians 3:11) can be a model for all artists, in which delight is daily sought in the manifestation of beauty in wood, paint, charcoal, dance, the stage, and music. This is a life of humility, where the artist freely accepts that this world, including his own work, "will pass away," (Matt. 24:35) but what it points to never will. Obedience to inspiration, especially as it is inspired by God's Word (itself the revelatory self-expression of God) is the artist's highest calling. This new site is dedicated to this higher calling of the artist, to this challenge.
You will find included in this site examples of my own work, as well as links to other sites which
celebrate the arts, and especially challenge the artist to reach the fullness of his own abilities
in the service of something greater than him or his work. I hope that you will enjoy this site, and
take full advantage of its links, especially the Letter to Artists of our Holy Father (of beloved memory) John Paul II. Thank you for your comments and your consideration of this website.
David Myers
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