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Mar 25th, 2025
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Joined: Jan 2006
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I recently purchased two icons, one for my dad and one for my brother. My dad is a practicng non-denom Protestant, and my brother, though he believes in God, doesn't really adhere to any particular religion. Both are artists, however, and I'd like to introduce them both to the beauty of the iconographic tradition and to the theology of icons. Can anyone recommend a particular short book or article that offers a good introduction to Church iconography and theology?
Also, I'm looking for an icon of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos. Any recommendations? Thanks!
God bless,
Chris
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Chris, Jim Forrest has written a particularly nice book on icons called "Praying with Icons". http://www.amazon.com/Praying-Icons.../102-6511295-3137731?ie=UTF8&s=books Although, I would be inclined to offer the classic "Behold the Beauty of the Lord" by the late Henri Nouwen. http://www.amazon.com/Behold-Beauty.../102-6511295-3137731?ie=UTF8&s=books Father Nouwen is well known and respected in Evangelical circles (I completed my master's at an evangelical school) and we read two books by him. Several more were in the school bookstore, but, not surpisingly given the iconoclast tendencies of much of Protestantism, this one was not. Behold the Beauty of the Lord is very simply put an introduction to how to read an icon through a spiritual lens. It covers four different icons: Rublev's Trinity/Hospitality of Abraham, the Theotokos of Vladimir, the Savior of Zvenigorod, and the Descent of the Holy Spirit. Another extremely moving text by him is his "Return of the Prodigal Son" where he discusses Rembrandt's famous painting in light of the Biblical story. http://www.amazon.com/Return-Prodig.../102-6511295-3137731?ie=UTF8&s=books This is by far my favorite book by Henri Nouwen. You might even consider starting there for two reasons: it would be a good introduction to the spiritual interpretation of art, as well as an introduction to Henri Nouwen, which could be a bridge to Behold the Beauty of the Lord. It is just a thought... Hope that helps! Gordo
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Chris, regarding books I would recommend a couple, including Jim Forrest's Praying with Icons. Another book that does a good job of explaining the liturgical year through the festal icons is John Baggley's book Festival Icons for the Christian Year. Baggley also has another book that is not bad - Doors of Perception: Icons and their Spiritual Significance. Baggley's background as an Anglican minister makes his books easily readable to the Western Christian. Towards the "deeper end" theologically there is of course Ouspenssky and Lossky's The Meaning of Icons. Regarding a particular icon - there are several good iconographers around (our own Chtec here on the Forum is an excellent one indeed!!!  ). If you can't swing an original there are many outlets of mounted prints, such as St. Isaac of Syria Skete at www.skete.com [ skete.com] Hope that helps. FDD
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This is a new book that I got and I think it's WODNERFUL... great explainations and GORGEOUS PICS!!! http://www.amazon.com/Saints-Easter.../102-3170941-4166509?ie=UTF8&s=books It's translated from Italian but it's a good book. You can get it at AMAZON or from ICON AND BOOK SERVICE...www.iconbook.org Hope this helps...
the ikon writer
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Another recommendation - The Mystical Language of Icons by Solrunn Nes. It has short, detailed summaries and beautiful color icons.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Thanks for the recommendations, everyone. The Forrest book sounds like it might do the trick. Regarding the Theotokos icon, I'm having a tough time finding one. I recieved one good suggestion so far (thanks, Medved!) that I'll look into. Though I usually order all of my icons from skete.com, I'll have to search a bit harder for this one!
God bless,
Chris
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Sorry about the double post. I always accidentally hit "quote" intead of "edit." 
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And speaking of excellent iconographers on the Forum - Medved is another Spirit-graced artist... whether pysanky or icons...  FDD
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