Gospel Themes in Painting

Even if a person does not consider themselves a believing Christian, they constantly encounter gospel themes and images in their life, as these have nourished the culture of many nations for over two thousand years. This is why without familiarity with the Gospel, we will not understand not only the wall paintings of temples or the content of icons but also the true meaning of the works of outstanding artists of the past and present, the depths of moral reflections of great writers and poets, the pathos of many musical works, the features of architectural structures, and even many phenomena of modern cinema and mass culture. The proposed publication will facilitate acquaintance with the main plots and characters of the Gospel, and the works of art by famous and anonymous artists will make this process more interesting. When starting to work on a gospel theme, an artist seeks not only to convey the overall meaning of what is happening but to emphasize and highlight the thought that seems to them the most important and essential. The artist can do this directly and explicitly, or they may express their thought in a veiled form. For this, there exists a wide range of artistic techniques: by using the characteristics of composition and color, symbols and allegories, one can bring additional meanings into the artwork, directing the inquisitive viewer's mind in the desired direction. The arrangement of the material in chronological order, as well as the necessary comments and explanations, will allow for a comprehensive understanding of the gospel story and provide information about its main characters. • By reading this book, you will find answers to many important and interesting questions of Sacred History: • What is a mandorla? • What themes were depicted in the icon "Benevolence"? • What did the process of spinning symbolize in the context of the Annunciation iconography? • Why does the Archangel Gabriel hold a lily or a palm branch at the moment of the Annunciation? • What happened during the Baptism ceremony and what other name is given to the Feast of the Baptism? • The symbol of