Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the  More »

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the iconoclastic controversy in the Orthodox Church called into question whether religious images were a legitimate practice or sacrilegious idolatry. Although the use of images was in the end permitted, a thorough distinction between profane art intended to depict reality and sacred art designed for spiritual contemplation was established. That difference is one of the reasons that the artistic style of icons can seem so invariant. Certain kinds of balance and harmony became established as reflections of divinity, and as such they invited careful reproduction and subtle refinement rather than striking novelty. Although this philosophy resulted in a comparatively slow evolution of style, icon painting evolved considerably over the centuries. Unlike the pictorial traditions of the west that aspire towards increased realism and naturalism, the essence of Russian icon painting is not about the representation of physical space or appearance. Icons are images intended to aid in contemplative prayer, and in that sense, are more concerned with conveying meditative harmony than with laying out a realistic scene. They were not painted to please the eye of the mind, but to inspire reflection and self-examination.Saint Mark - PF.5836Origin: Russia Circa: 19 ADDimensions: 11" (27.9cm) high Collection: Russian Icons Style: Russian Orthodox Medium: Oil on Wood Panel   « Less

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the  More »

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the iconoclastic controversy in the Orthodox Church called into question whether religious images were a legitimate practice or sacrilegious idolatry. Although the use of images was in the end permitted, a thorough distinction between profane art intended to depict reality and sacred art designed for spiritual contemplation was established. That difference is one of the reasons that the artistic style of icons can seem so invariant. Certain kinds of balance and harmony became established as reflections of divinity, and as such they invited careful reproduction and subtle refinement rather than striking novelty. Although this philosophy resulted in a comparatively slow evolution of style, icon painting evolved considerably over the centuries. Unlike the pictorial traditions of the west that aspire towards increased realism and naturalism, the essence of Russian icon painting is not about the representation of physical space or appearance.Icons are images intended to aid in contemplative prayer, and in that sense, are more concerned with conveying meditative harmony than with laying out a realistic scene. They were not painted to please the eye of the mind, but to inspire reflection and self-examination. The Byzantine influence that dominates Russian icon painting is clearly evident. The bold outlines, harsh linearity, and gold background are all characteristic of Byzantine art.   « Less

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the  More »

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the iconoclastic controversy in the Orthodox Church called into question whether religious images were a legitimate practice or sacrilegious idolatry. Although the use of images was in the end permitted, a thorough distinction between profane art intended to depict reality and sacred art designed for spiritual contemplation was established. That difference is one of the reasons that the artistic style of icons can seem so invariant. Certain kinds of balance and harmony became established as reflections of divinity, and as such they invited careful reproduction and subtle refinement rather than striking novelty. Although this philosophy resulted in a comparatively slow evolution of style, icon painting evolved considerably over the centuries. Unlike the pictorial traditions of the west that aspire towards increased realism and naturalism, the essence of Russian icon painting is not about the representation of physical space or appearance.Icons are images intended to aid in contemplative prayer, and in that sense, are more concerned with conveying meditative harmony than with laying out a realistic scene. They were not painted to please the eye of the mind, but to inspire reflection and self-examination. The Byzantine influence that dominates Russian icon painting is clearly evident. The bold outlines, harsh linearity, and gold background are all characteristic of Byzantine art.   « Less

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the  More »

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the iconoclastic controversy in the Orthodox Church called into question whether religious images were a legitimate practice or sacrilegious idolatry. Although the use of images was in the end permitted, a thorough distinction between profane art intended to depict reality and sacred art designed for spiritual contemplation was established. That difference is one of the reasons that the artistic style of icons can seem so invariant. Certain kinds of balance and harmony became established as reflections of divinity, and as such they invited careful reproduction and subtle refinement rather than striking novelty. Although this philosophy resulted in a comparatively slow evolution of style, icon painting evolved considerably over the centuries. Unlike the pictorial traditions of the west that aspire towards increased realism and naturalism, the essence of Russian icon painting is not about the representation of physical space or appearance.Icons are images intended to aid in contemplative prayer, and in that sense, are more concerned with conveying meditative harmony than with laying out a realistic scene. They were not painted to please the eye of the mind, but to inspire reflection and self-examination. The Byzantine influence that dominates Russian icon painting is clearly evident. The bold outlines, harsh linearity, and gold background are all characteristic of Byzantine art.   « Less

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the  More »

Russians inherited the tradition of icon painting from Byzantium, where it began as an offshoot of the mosaic and fresco tradition. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the iconoclastic controversy in the Orthodox Church called into question whether religious images were a legitimate practice or sacrilegious idolatry. Although the use of images was in the end permitted, a thorough distinction between profane art intended to depict reality and sacred art designed for spiritual contemplation was established. That difference is one of the reasons that the artistic style of icons can seem so invariant. Certain kinds of balance and harmony became established as reflections of divinity, and as such they invited careful reproduction and subtle refinement rather than striking novelty. Although this philosophy resulted in a comparatively slow evolution of style, icon painting evolved considerably over the centuries. Unlike the pictorial traditions of the west that aspire towards increased realism and naturalism, the essence of Russian icon painting is not about the representation of physical space or appearance.Icons are images intended to aid in contemplative prayer, and in that sense, are more concerned with conveying meditative harmony than with laying out a realistic scene. They were not painted to please the eye of the mind, but to inspire reflection and self-examination. The Byzantine influence that dominates Russian icon painting is clearly evident. The bold outlines, harsh linearity, and gold background are all characteristic of Byzantine art.   « Less

The golden age of Cambodian culture was developed the kingdom of Angkor, a powerful and prosperous empire that flourished in northwestern Cambodia. The Angkor kingdom was  More »

The golden age of Cambodian culture was developed the kingdom of Angkor, a powerful and prosperous empire that flourished in northwestern Cambodia. The Angkor kingdom was historically Southeast Asia's largest contiguous empire controlled much territory in what is now Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Many temples from this period, like the Bayon and Angkor Wat are left as a reminder of the grandeur of Khmer arts and culture. Angkor's unparalleled achievements in art, architectures, music, and dance during this period greatly influence and inspired many kingdoms in Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. The Khmer civilization, today embodied by the temples and ruins of Angkor, one of mankind's most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements and the largest religious monument in the world, flourished from 802- 1431 A.D. From the great citadel of Angkor, the kings of the Khmer empire ruled over a vast domain that reached from what is now southern Vietnam to Yunan, China and from Vietnam westward to the Bay of Bengal. The original city was built around the Phnom Bakeng, a temple on a hill symbolizing the mountain that stands in the center of the world according to Hindu cosmology. Successive kings enlarged the city, building other temples devoted to various Hindu deities and large reservoirs used for irrigation, which also symbolized the ocean surrounding the holy central mountain. The most celebrated of the Angkor temple complexes is Angkor Wat, constructed under King Suryavarman II (reigned 1113-1150). The Buddhist religion spread throughout the east and nowhere is the artistic rendering of this spiritual religion more expressive than in the 12th and 13th century Khmer culture of Cambodia. This head of a Buddha illustrates the unique artistic craftsmanship of the Khmer. It is boldly expressive in form yet delicate in its sensibility. Graceful and powerful at once, the combined images of Buddha capture both the aesthetic and spiritual elements of our very soul. - (SP.607)   « Less

Origin: Cambodia Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Khmer Medium: Silver

Origin: Cambodia Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4.5" (11.4cm) high x 2.25" (5.7cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Khmer Medium: Silver   « Less

Origin: Cambodia Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Khmer Medium: Silver

Origin: Cambodia Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4.25" (10.8cm) high x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Asian Art Style: Khmer Medium: Silver   « Less

Origin: Cambodia Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD Dimensions: 2.8" (7.1cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide Collection: Asian art Style: Khmer Medium: Bronze

Origin: Cambodia Circa: 12 th Century AD to 13 th Century AD Dimensions: 2.8" (7.1cm) high x 3.75" (9.5cm) wide Collection: Asian art Style: Khmer Medium: Bronze   « Less

Origin: Cambodia Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 2.50" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Asian Style: Khmer Medium: Silver

Origin: Cambodia Circa: 1100 AD to 1300 AD Dimensions: 4.75" (12.1cm) high x 2.50" (6.4cm) wide Collection: Asian Style: Khmer Medium: Silver   « Less