Is it possible to paint an icon realistically?

1. Entity type Lemma
2. Original titleМожно ли написать икону реалистично?
3. Language term Russian
4. lemma author Saprykin, Dmitry
5. lemma category Theological works of scientists and engineers
6. Publication date 1997
7. lemma work Rauschenbach Boris [Author]. Is it possible to paint an icon realistically?
8. lemma manifestations Синтез двух систем познания академика Раушенбаха. : Synthesis of the two cognition systems by academician Rauschebach
9. Keywords iconography - perspective - direct and reverse
10. Citations
    1. http://www.alleng.ru/d/art/art605.htm
11. Lemma body

    1. The article author seeks for an answer to the question: why are the spatial structures used in iconography very different from those prescribed by the Renaissance perspective theory? What is this: inability, ignorance of the perspective concept or necessity, and if it is necessity, then what is it caused by?

       The author believes that the icon appointment to include the viewer in the iconic space, to make him participate in what is happening in it, makes certain demands for spatial constructions in the icon, forces one to use reverse perspective instead of direct perspective of the Renaissance and New Age paintings which led the viewer into the depth of the picture space, moved the pictured away from him. The icon image constructed on the base of reverse perspective, the author proves, causes certain subconscious processes that are opposite to the natural and analogous to those that produce all kinds of "optical illusions", leading to the feeling of the represented space popping out to the viewer instead of the feeling of depth leading the viewer into the picture surface.

       The author comes to the conclusion that the reverse perspective in icon painting was not just permissible, but quite often and unconditionally necessary, considering the purpose of the icons.