Nimb and the cross. How to read Russian icons. Antonov D.I.

Dmitry Igorevich Antonov - Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the Russian State University, Director of the Center for Visual Research of the Middle Ages and the New Age of the Faculty of Culturology of the RSUSU, senior researcher at the theoretical folklorism of the RANEPA. The author of the books “Cings and Imposts: the struggle of ideas in Russia of Troubles”, “Icon of the Soviet era: Faces of Traditions” (in collaboration with D. Yu. Doronin), “Anatomy of Hell: Guide to Old Russian Visual Demonology” (Co -upgrade with M. R. Mayzuls), “Demons and sinners in ancient Russian iconography: Semiotics of the image” (co -authored with M. R. Mayzuls). The main goal of this book is to give readers the keys that will allow you to navigate the world of icons and wall murals. Understand the logic of images and see information hidden in detail. The author step by step shows how to “read” the icons and how to understand interesting nuances hiding in every plot.

The first chapter introduces the reader to the history of icon veneration - from the era of early Christianity to date. The second describes geometric principles that allow icon painters to talk about space and about the depicted objects. The following chapters are about signs - inconspicuous elements from which any visual story is built, and about motives repeated in different compositions. The author considers unusual variations of some plots. Finally, the last chapter tells about curious curioses and popular legends associated with icons.

The book will be interesting to those who want to get general knowledge about Russian icon painting, and those who are professionally engaged in the history of culture, art, religion.