Russian Icons

The history and art of the Russian icon can be dated back to the 10th century; and perhaps the most famous Russian iconographer was Andrei Rublev who created his masterpieces in the 15th century. Most assuredly these Russian Orthodox treasures rose to prominence in the 1700's, when it became common for Russian families to commission icons to be painted for private use, and they became widely distributed outside of the halls of the churches. Typically Russian icons were and continue to be painted in tempura on wood; but they were also created in copper, brass, and silver. Following strict guidelines of orthodoxy, these objects of fine religious art are essentially copies of depictions of saints and scenes such as the Virgin Mary that date to antiquity in the history of the church.