An outstanding painter of the fourteenth century Theophanes the Greek was a profound psychologist, “philosopher,” as his contemporaries called him, an artist of uncontrollable temperament. His works amaze with the power of feelings, passionate excitement of images. Theophanes the Greek comes from Byzantium. Being already a mature, established artist, he had a great influence on the development of Russian art. The beginning of his activity in Russia is connected with Novgorod. Here Theophanes the Greek, one of the greatest masters of monumental painting, performed magnificent frescoes, for example in the Transfiguration Cathedral on Ilinskaya street.
In Moscow, Theophanes the Greek moved at the end of the fourteenth century – during the period when the city was built as an all-Russian center. Here he worked on the paintings of the Kremlin churches, painted icons. Feofan’s hands belong to a remarkable two-sided icon. On one side is the “Virgin of the Don”, on the other – “Assumption”.
In the “Assumption” is recorded the death of Mary. In the performance of Theophanes the Greek, the scene from the legend acquires an extraordinary significance and multidimensionality. With the characteristic ability of the artist to philosophically comprehend the meaning of the accomplished, he is building this traditional composition. Lying on a light bed Our Lady in dark cherry clothes personifies the greatness and severity of death, her eternal rest. A clear, continuous line delineates the artist figure of the deceased. In a vigorous movement, as if looking upwards, a huge Christ appears over Mary, a deity who took her soul and lifted her up to heaven. He is depicted against the background of a dark blue aureole – the celestial sphere, which is crowned by a bright red seraph with spread wings.
In contrast to the mighty, inner figure-filled Christ figure, the apostles at the bed of Mary seem small and weak. Their faces and gestures express confusion, fright, pity, a feeling of powerlessness of a person in the face of death and even a misunderstanding of it. The group of apostles is striking in the vitality of the types. Trembling and liveliness to the image gives light flashes, rapid movements of the artist on the face and fabric of clothing. The “Assumption” of Theophanes the Greek is a work of high drama, depth of thought and true humanity. ceroeagerse Wrong section selected, please delete
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