Overview

Icons in Time, Persons in Eternity presents a critical, interdisciplinary examination of contemporary theological and philosophical studies of the Christian image and redefines this within the Orthodox tradition by exploring the ontological and aesthetic implications of Orthodox ascetic and mystical theology. It finds Modernist interest in the aesthetic peculiarity of icons significant, and essential for re-evaluating their relationship to non-representational art. Drawing on classical Greek art criticism, Byzantine ekphraseis and hymnography, and the theologies of St. Maximus the Confessor, St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Gregory Palamas, the author argues that the ancient Greek concept of enargeia best conveys the expression of theophany and theosis in art. The qualities that define enargeia - inherent liveliness, expressive autonomy and self-subsisting form - are identified in exemplary Greek and Russian icons and considered in the context of the hesychastic theology that lies at the heart of Orthodox Christianity. An Orthodox aesthetics is thus outlined that recognizes the transcendent being of art and is open to dialogue with diverse pictorial and iconographic traditions. An examination of Ch’an (Zen) art theory and a comparison of icons with paintings by Wassily Kandinsky, Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko and Marc Chagall, and by Japanese artists influenced by Zen Buddhism, reveal intriguing points of convergence and difference. The reader will find in these pages reasons to reconcile Modernism with the Christian image and Orthodox tradition with creative form in art.

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9781409447672

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Reviews

'In this learned and profound work, Tsakiridou returns again to the challenge of modernism to religious art and, drawing on the concept of enargeia, vividness, and the Byzantine theology of the divine light, develops an understanding of the icon as drawing the beholder into the experience of deification. Bold and original.'Andrew Louth, Durham University, UK

'In this learned and profound work, Tsakiridou returns again to the challenge of modernism to religious art and, drawing on the concept of enargeia, vividness, and the Byzantine theology of the divine light, develops an understanding of the icon as drawing the beholder into the experience of deification. Bold and original.'Andrew Louth, Durham University, UK Rowan Williams, Art and Christianity 'The ambition of this book is enormous and for the most part [it] comes off brilliantly. It ought to spark some completely fresh discussions of aesthetics and ontology - Formidable as the book is, it should be required reading for anyone seeking to grasp the aesthetics of the icon and their rootedness in a consistent and challenging Christian ontology - and anyone looking for a creative theological interaction with the art of the 20th Century.' Rowan Williams, Art and Christianity

Author Information

Cornelia A. Tsakiridou is Associate Professor, Philosophy and Director, Diplomat-in-Residence Program, at La Salle University, Philadelphia, USA.

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