BOOKS

“Festal Icons: History and Meaning takes a refreshing and welcome approach, moving from historical context to the renewal of the tradition today. Aidan Hart marshals his deep knowledge of the underlying theology of icons and their symbolic content as well as their use in liturgical and festival settings through the ages. Sumptuously illustrated with icons he created (‘prayer without ceasing’, as Hart has said of his process), as well as a veritable museum of comparative images, this new book will be an excellent addition to any sacred art bibliography or syllabus.” (Dr Kathryn R. Barush, Associate Professor of Art History and Religion Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California)

“An illuminating and richly illustrated discussion of the evolution and symbolic structure of some of the most familiar narrative icons of the Eastern Christian tradition. Written in an engaging and accessible style, Hart systematically explores the theological meanings and social history of the fourteen major icons of the liturgical year, known as Feast or Festal icons. Written by a renowned iconographer and teacher of iconography, Festal Icons: History and Meaning is alive with fresh insights, offering new layers of understanding for art historians, iconographers and iconophiles alike.” (Dr Sophie Matthiesson, Senior Curator, International Art Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki)

“I know of no comparable work in the English language that deals with the technique of icon painting in such a thorough and comprehensive manner. Yet, while concerned with technique, the treatment is never merely technical. At every point we see how technique reveals a transfigured world. Spirituality and technology are combined together, so that each illuminates the other.” From the Preface by Kallistos Ware, Metropolitan of Diokleia “The wealth of information in this book makes it an indispensable reference not only for iconographers but also for any painter using egg tempera, fresco or secco. It covers all the necessary processes, including the making and gessoing of wooden panels, gilding, preparing pigments, the various techniques for painting in tempera, as well as lime plastering and fresco, right through to photographing finished artwork.” From the Foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales “This book makes known to us a craft, but more importantly it is the Confessio of a man who epitomizes the liturgical beauty of the Orthodox Church. He is full of joy and this same joy he communicates to us: with his heart he loves, and with his hands he fashions matter. He uses pencil, brush, chisel. He carves wood and stone, works with metal. He fashions form and colour. He manifests the Spirit. And he confesses that ‘The Word became flesh’. Thus you see not only how a holy icon is made within the Church, but also how the human person made as an icon of God struggles to become holy.” Archimandrite Vasileios, Iviron Monastery, Mount Athos, Greece “Aidan Hart combines the vision of the contemplatitive with the skill of a gifted artist. For those many people for whom Icons are a door into the divine there cannot be a better guide.” Dr. Richard Chartres, Bishop of London “An icon is visual theology, the Word of God. It can only be written in truth by one who seeks and loves this holy Word. Aidan Hart understands this to the depth.” Sister Wendy Beckett, contemplative nun and author on art

“Aidan Hart, one of the greatest living icon-painters, reflects in this book of essays on the place of the Icon in the Christian mystery. Drawing on wide and diverse reading… Aidan helps us to see how the icon reveals a vision in which matter is transfigured, the meaning of mystery reaches throughout the whole cosmos, and human kind, in the image of God, is restored to its role as microcosm and mediator, through God’s embracing matter itself in the Incarnation. This is a profound and arresting book, full of insights and surprises.” Revd. Prof. Andrew Louth FBA, Professor Emeritus of Patristic and Byzantine Studies, Durham University UK. “Historical and poetic, informative and reflective, certainly dedicated to the transformation of the created nature through the gaze of the icon, Aidan Hart’s book offers a unique contribution in iconology. Aidan Hart writes with theological knowledge, but also with the long experience of a practitioner, a man who learned his iconology from the icons themselves. As he mentions in a short anecdote, “we do not judge icons, icons judge us”. In his case they also teach us how to think.” Revd Dr. Andreas Andreopoulos, Reader in Orthodox Christianity at the University of Winchester. “Reviving the classical art of the essay, Aidan Hart has also revived a sensitivity for God’s presence in all things—God, one of whose names is Beauty. This book is rich in wisdom drawn from the iconographic tradition, illuminating the material cosmos, history, the virtues, and the challenges of contemporary life.” Stratford Caldecott, Editor, Second Spring Journal. “Aidan Hart’s booked is rich and refreshing. It has a striking spiritual depth, deriving from profound knowledge of the Orthodox theological tradition and the wisdom of a creative artist whose art is rooted in prayer. It also has breadth since he is open to the insights of other Churches and artists from all faiths and none.” Father Timothy Radcliffe OP, author and from 1992 to 2001 Master of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). “In this astonishing book Aidan takes us through the icon to the very heart and mind of God and thus of ourselves. Perhaps the most challenging statement he makes is that we have been called to become gods by grace and in this fascinating exploration of the art, meaning and beliefs of Orthodoxy, he helps us understand why this could be the key that unlocks a better more godly future. Read this and the world will never appear the same again – thank God!” Martin Palmer, Secretary General of Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC).