32. "Rublev's Trinity"

Sacred Light Icons

sacredlight.net

ICONS

HOME

Table of Contents

1-8 Christmas

9-17 Mary

18-21 Holy Week

22-36 Jesus' Life

37-42 Saints & Angels

43 Pentecost/Breath

of God

ICONOGRAPHER

CONTACT

Click bars above

to view icons.

“Rublev’s Trinity”

Andrej Rublev painted his rendition of Abraham’s Visit as recorded in Genesis 19 in 1425. Many other renditions existed prior to Rublev’s and each painter or commentator on the scripture passage stressed different aspects of the event.

In the area and time where Rublev lived, there was much questioning about God being Triune, three distinct persons in one God. After much prayer, reflection and dialogue with those who shared the truth about God, Rublev wanted to share his faith and the Church's belief in pictorial form.

Rublev’s icon combines simplicity with depth. The historical event in all its details is less important. The meaning is the most important – to reveal the Trinity. The setting is a meal marked by peace and harmony.

A perfect circle flows through the three angels: starting with the foot of the right angel counterclockwise through his body, through the heads of other angels and down again joining the feet at the bottom – perfect unity.

The two outside angels form a perfect cup with their legs, knees, arms up to their shoulders: Jesus the middle angel, is within this cup, and in the cup on the altar, the slaughtered lamb.

Glory be to you, Father, and to you, Son, and to you, Holy Spirit!