Russian icons: geometry and signs

Dmitry Igorevich Antonov – Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the Russian State University for the Humanities, Director of the Center for Visual Research of the Middle Ages and Modern Times of the Faculty of Cultural Studies of the Russian State University for the Humanities, senior researcher at the Laboratory of Theoretical Folklore Studies of the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Author of the books “Halo and Cross: How to Read Russian Icons”, “Tsars and Impostors: the Struggle of Ideas in Russia of the Time of Troubles”, “Icons of the Soviet Era: Faces of Tradition” (co-authored with D. Yu. Doronin), “Anatomy of Hell: A Guide on Old Russian visual demonology" (co-authored with M. R. Mayzuls), "Demons and sinners in Old Russian iconography: semiotics of the image" (co-authored with M. R. Mayzuls). This is not an ordinary encyclopedia on Russian icon painting. The main goal of this book is to give readers the keys that will allow them to navigate the world of icons and wall paintings. Understand the logic of images and see the information hidden in the details. The author shows step by step how you can “read” icons and how to understand the interesting nuances hidden in each plot. The first chapter describes the geometric principles that allow icon painters to talk about space and the objects depicted. The following chapters deal with signs—the subtle elements that make up any visual story—and the motifs that recur in different compositions. Finally, in the last chapter, the author examines unusual variations of some plots. The book will be of interest to both those who want to gain general knowledge about Russian icon painting and those who are professionally involved in the history of culture, art, and religion.