R12 08-1 - St Paul

Model taken from Andrei Rublev, about 1400, comes from the deesis of Zvenigorod, Moscow, Tretyakov Gallery. The pictorial technique "illumination" used to paint the face of the dark areas to the lighter ones expresses the spiritual rebirth according to the teaching of Gregory Palamas. The unnaturally swollen neck indicates and emphasizes the presence of the breath of the Holy Spirit. The high and bright forehead, the strong-willed features express the tension of those who seek with all their strength the face of Christ. The folds of the brown mantle fill with lighter reflection as if the light source came from the robe of lapis lazuli, the point of maximum concentration of divine light.