For the viewer is the worshipper, and before such an image one can only bow in humility and adoration. All the artist’s prayerful attention and long hours have been spent creating a ‘window into heaven’ where gold enables the image to shine from within, disclosing the nature of holiness and God’s divine glory.

Because that is the raison d’etre of an icon. But even better for me, is the strata of symbolism and theology contained in these objects of devotion. The painstaking creation of icons, from preparation of the gessoed board beneath, through the skilful laying on and burnishing of the gold, to the layers of egg tempura working from dark shades to light, provokes wonder. “It is the colours that draw me – rich shades of red, blues and greens especially, but also, of course, the gold leaf of backgrounds and haloes. “Firstly I enjoy icons themselves and possess many reproductions of them in postcard form as well as larger copies, including a few of my own attempts, (greatly helped on by my very gifted teacher). Being compelled to put such an attraction into words is always salutary – so here goes! I said that I had always be drawn to this image and was challenged to say why that was the case. A copy of it hangs in our meeting room at ERMC, appropriately framed all in gold! Recently it became the focus of discussion as we waited for our staff meeting to begin. “This image is the famous icon by the Russian icon ‘writer’ Rublev dating from 1411AD. This photo of the icon is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Here she explains why she was drawn to the image of this particular medieval icon. Our chaplain, Cathy Michell, is fascinated by icons.

Andrei rublev iconographer school