The Icon: Image of the Invisible [Paperback]

Egon Sendler (Author), Steven Bigham (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1995

A comprehensive study of the theology of the Icon and its history, the aesthetics of the Icon and its structures, and the techniques and steps to paint an Icon, this book contains more than 100 color and black-and-white photos and a similar number of drawings which show the technical details and preparations of painting an Icon, from pigment colors to selection of wood.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 283 pages
• Publisher: Oakwood Publications (December 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879038072
• ISBN-13: 978-1879038073
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,541,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars POSSIBLY THE MOST COMPLETE AND USEFUL BOOK ON THIS TOPIC, June 26, 2007

By 

C. Scanlon "least helpful reviewer" (among us humans) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Icon: Image of the Invisible (Paperback)

Originally published in French in 1981 by the great Catholic Publishing House Desclee de Brouwer in Paris as L'Icone: Image de l'invisible, this book may be the most thorough, useful and complete treatment of the theology, procedures, composition and aesthetic techniques of the Ikon phenomenom.

Indeed the ample first section discusses the Genesis and Theology of the Icon, including history from the first days of Christianity, the art of the catacombs, etc. This first section also includes the various theological elements essential to iconography, as well as a discussion of Byzantine society and religious vision. It also discusses literary types in relation to icons, and a general theory of the icon as sign, symbol and as actual or sacramental participation in the Divine.

The second section explains aesthetic elements, including geometric structures, such as proportions, which I find most immediately helpful for any artist who wishes to draw anything involving the human face and body as well as iconographers. This section closely analyzes the formal use of geometry in composition of the icons and their arrangements, and the use of the laws of perspective as well as inverse perspective, dynamic space and epic perspective. This alone is fascinating for anyone who studies art theory, and truly renders comprehensible and visible underlying principles and practices not previously noticed or known. Several common Iconic themes are examined iin this light, including the Annunciation as well as the Resurrection of Lazarus. This second section also fully discusses colors and the theory of color, their meanings in icons, and their composition. The second section concludes with a complete consideration of light, and the inner light of icons.

As promised in the subtitle the third section fully examines the technical aspects of icons, including the preparation of materials in every way, the paints and how to apply them to the prepared and primed board, the selection of the palette and creation of flesh tones, for instance, and techniques and styles of the various ancient schools of iconography, including Greek and Russian. A thirty six page full page selection of icons follows in full color well produced, ending this excellent and comprehensive and informative and useful book with a thorough bibliography and a pair of indexes by subject and by name.

Everything about this book is the best, but what really sold me was the discussion of proportions of the human body and of perspectives, technical problems I had been trying to resolve but which are very clearly presented here.

Highly recommended for any artist, art historian, art lover, or especially the devoted Catholic looking for visual sacramentals as edifying aids in prayer and the saintly, sacred, immanent presence with us in prayer and contemplation. This book discusses everything from theology to hands on techniques and has something for everyone, expressed more completely and clearly with continual examples on every page, than in any other book I have seen. I have in my hand the 1999 paperback reprinting from Oakwood. If you are able to acquire the hardcover edition, or the original French, please invite me over for prayer and painting!