ArtnowTV - Ina Louise Ioannides

View artworks by Cypriot artist Ina Louise Ioannides at ArtnowTV. for more information visit:
http://www.artnowonline.com/artists/Ina_Louise_Ioannides/Ina_Louise_Ioannides...


Iconography: The Rules

The art of making Orthodox icons follows a strict set of visual guidelines that has been laid down for centuries; artists wishing to be called true iconographers have to include in their work the following visual characteristics: * The eyes portrayed must be large and wide, symbolising the spiritual eye that looks far beyond our material world * Ears must be large in order to listen to the word of God * Gentle lips must be illustrated to glorify and praise the Lord * The eyes and ears on a figure in an icon are made disproportionately large because a spiritual person spends more time listening to God's word and seeking to do God's will. The mouth however is always made small as it can also be the source of empty and harmful words. The nose is also out of proportion as it's seen as being sensual. When an evil character is represented it's always done in profile as it's not desirable to make eye contact with such a person * Figures shown with larger than normal heads represent those who have devoted themselves to contemplation and prayer

Even the colours used in the clothing of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and other saints are fixed by tradition with symbolic meaning attache.

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