Old Russian art (painting, icon painting, architecture)

Old Russian art was mainly formed and developed further after the baptism of Rus. It was after this important event that cardinal changes took place in the political life of the country, as well as in art.

The arrival of a new faith - Christianity introduced in the art of the Middle Ages the tradition of a unique and sublime ancient Greek culture. For example, the first stone churches began to be built. One of such buildings is the Church of the Tithes built in Kiev , which amazes contemporaries with its exquisite forms and magnificent interior decoration. Frescos made of smalt, mosaic, amazing beauty of the iconostasis and the plot of the biblical miniatures have been admired for more than one century.

Old Russian art of the 10th-13th centuries was a symbiosis of the East Slavic culture of the Scythians and Sarmatians. It is also the embodiment of ancient traditions and architecture of beautiful Byzantium and close in spirit of the Balkan countries.

The art of the Middle Ages is characterized by the fact that it always had a theological theme. Architects and artists of the time should have followed the orders of the church canons, which met the highest Christian principles. They gave an explanation of how to depict these or other objects. Strictness and even some asceticism could be traced in architecture at that time. This is clearly noted, first of all, in the forms of architecture.

Old Russian art and its main trends can be clearly seen in the frescoes of St. Sophia of Kiev. This is a real classic painting system of the medieval temple, which has survived to our times. For example, in the church on the mosaic the Virgin of Oranta is depicted, and also there are large murals with a plot from the righteous life of Christ, the apostles, martyrs and preachers.

No less unique is the portrait of Yaroslav the Wise, his family and episodes of court life, preserved to this day, in which the Old Russian art and its characteristic features are most clearly recorded. The monument of architecture, made in mosaic technique, which dates back to 1046, in its original form reached us in the same Hagia Sophia in Kiev.

Russian masters skillfully owned fresco paintings and mosaics. Few know that the Italian word "fresco" is translated as "raw". Painting of this style was performed on still damp wall paints and was widely used in the decoration of churches. Fine art in the Middle Ages reached its peak.

For Rus always was characteristic white stone carving, it became remarkable, a special feature of the ancient Russian architecture. It was decorated not only with cathedrals, but also with palaces of the nobility. Carving on stone and wood was very popular, it also applied to art crafts.

Old Russian jewelers were famous for their author's handwriting and were unsurpassed masters of silver and gold jewelry. For example, the ancient salary is known - a masterpiece from genuine leather, adorned with precious stones - Ostromir Gospel.

Russia was famous for its school of icon painting. The word "icon" is literally translated from Greek as an "image". Most often they depicted the face of Christ and the Mother of God, as well as of the saints. These were usually carefully written, stern faces, with an elongated face oval and a straight nose and, as a rule, with large open eyes. Archives of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra preserved the name of the famous icon painter of the XII century, the monk Alimpia. He belonged to the school of Greek masters, the icon wrote in a strictly regulated manner, but in them the elements of personal mastery and talent of an unsurpassed master were still looked through.

The best traditions of the Vladimir-Suzdal school of icon painting are known, which was continued by the followers of the writing of icons. They were the following workshops: Moscow, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Rostov, Suzdal. It was here that the amazing beauty of the icon appeared, for example, "Angel of the Golden Vlas", "Deesis" from the Moscow Assumption Cathedral, the icon of Dmitry Solunsky, George, "The Savior Not Made by Hands" and many others.

Fine art is meant to serve people and enable many generations to feel themselves involved in the history and culture of our great homeland.