The Rublev Trinity: The Icon of the Trinity by the Monk-painter Andrei Rublev

by Gabriel Bunge, Andrew Louth (Translator)

Many art historians and scholars have described the sublime icon of the Holy Trinity by St Andrei Rublev, but nothing equals this detailed and comprehensive theological explanation by Benedectine monk Gabriel Bunge. In this inspired and utterly sober work, Fr Gabriel aims to make the icon's timeless message accessible to the contemporary praying believer. The author understands precisely that Russian iconographic art, much more than the Romanesque and Gothic sacred art of the West, represents a theological confession of faith. Icon painters were conscious of this responsibility, and the monk-painters who learned their Orthodox faith through the prayer of the Hours and the Divine Liturgy, through the familiar texts of the hymns and the Gospel readings, reflected the revelation of God in their art. Fr Gabriel, completely attuned to this method of inspiration, upholds the palladium - the sign and meaning of Holy Russia - in this work, and reverently expounds upon the awesome utterance by Pavel 'There exists the icon of the Trinity by St Andrei Rublev; therefore, God exists.' Includes 23 color plates.

Genres: Theology, Art History, Nonfiction, Art

120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[K. P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine companion book to meditating with this most celebrated of Trinitarian icons, The color prints are of high quality.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came into this with no more knowledge than that afforded by Tarkovsky's biographical, meditative film about Rublev, and I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it is quite dry, so don't pick this up if you are uninterested in delving into the Eastern, Slavonic, and Russian Church's long and beautiful history of artistic expression. That being said, if you are that kind of nerd, you are in for a treat. So much of art holds a sacred quality to it, presenting human responses to the beauty that the Divine has given and shown to us. This books reveals that spirit in a 15th century icon, tackling art and God in art beautifully.

Like I said, if you're that kind of nerd, enjoy!

[G Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good look at this icon as well as the history and theology surrounding it. Not as warm as I had expected, but Bunge is a man of deep repentance...

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! More detailed than I could've imagined and loaded with lovely observations about this special icon.