WEEK
2 - Day 3
Seeing
present realities in the icon
Introduction
The
expression, "I got an eye full", is similar to the well known poetry line
of Gottfried Keller: "Drink, oh you eyes, what the eyelids might hold from
the golden overflow of the world." Our opened eyes are reception
organs for our soul so that in looking we are able to receive. This
is a strange thought for many people. We frequently pray with our
eyes closed forgetting that the opened eyes are an organ of reception for
the soul. When pictures truly communicate a spiritual truth they
penetrate the soul deeply. In this way the word interprets and supplements
the picture. Here we supplement what has already occurred to each
individual in their meditation on the Trinity icon with a quote from the
above mentioned art historian, Victor Lasarew, who devoted such great love
to the Rublev icon:
Rublev
painted his most famous work, Trinity, while at the peak of his creative
power... In all probability the date of this painting was 1411... . When
reflected on during long, intensive meditation Rublev's Trinity shows
neither movement nor action. The three angels sit on low stools in
deep silence. Their heads are slightly bowed, their gaze directed
into the distance...In the center of the icon is the vessel with the head
of the sacrificed animal . . The vessel is to be considered
as an image of the Eucharist. The hands of the middle and left angels
bless the vessel. The gestures provide the key in order to understand
the symbolism. The middle angel is Christ. In a reflective
posture with his head bowed toward the left, he blesses the vessel and
expresses thereby his readiness to offer himself. God the Father
(the left angel), whose face expresses deep sorrow, encourages him.
The Holy Spirit (the right Angel) witnesses the scene... as "Comforter".
So here...the greatest Sacrifice of love is depicted...(and) the Son declares
himself ready to atone for the sins of humankind... When one contemplates
the Trinity in greater depth, one is surprised above all by the unusual
spiritual quality of the angels... (however,) the most wonderful part of
the icon is its color. It effects the viewer, above all, through
the incomparable tone of its colors. One could describe the range
of colors in the Trinity , as "hospitable" because with rare persuasive
power they bring to expression the hospitable harmony of the three angels.
Rublev painted his icon in one of those fortunate moments of inspiration
which are bestowed only upon a few. He was able to create a work
that is rightly viewed as the most beautiful Russian icon and as one of
the most accomplished creations of all paintings of the Middle Ages .
Exercice
-
Andrei Rublev - The Trinity (Meditation on picture)
Wait
for what "speaks" to you from the visual reality of the icon and in contemplation
inhale this reality into yourself. Ponder, look and breathe and let
yourself be permeated more and more...