Andrei Rublev
Andrei Rublev (Andrey Rublev, Andrey Roublyov,
Russian:(1360? – 1430?) is considered to be the greatest Russian
iconographer.
Rublev's TrinityThere is little information about his life. It is
not known where he was born. Andrei Rublev probably lived in the
Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra under Nikon of Radonezh, who became hegumen
after the death of Sergii Radonezhsky (1392).
The first mention about Rublev’s iconography
was in 1405 when he decorated icons and frescos for the Cathedral
of the Dormition of the Moscow Kremlin in company with Feofan Grek
and Prokhor of Gorodets. His name was the last of the list of masters
as the smallest both by rank and by age.
Chronicles tell us that in 1408 he painted (together
with Daniil Cherni) the Cathedral of the Assumption in Vladimir
and in 1425–1427 the Cathedral of St. Trinity in the Troitse-Sergiyeva
Lavra. After Daniil’s death Andrei came to the Moscow's Andronikov
Monastery where he painted his last work, frescoes of the Savior
Cathedral.
The only work authenticated as entirely his is
the icon of the Old Testament Trinity (ca 1410), at Tretyakov Gallery,
Moscow. It is also known as the Hospitality of Abraham.
In Rublev’s art two traditions are combined:
highest asceticism and classic harmony of Byzantine manners. The
characters of his paintings are always peaceful and calm. After
some time his art came to be perceived as the ideal of Church painting
and of iconic art.
He died at Andronikov Monastery on January 29,
1430. His art influenced many different artists including Dionisy.
At Stoglavi Sobor (1551) Rublev’s iconography was announced
as a model for church paintings. He was canonized in 1988. The church
celebrates his memory on July 4.
Since 1959 the Andrei Rublev museum has been open
in Andronnikov Monastery, showing the art of his works and his epoch.
|