Icons and iconography

What is the course about?

Since the 1990s, interest in the Orthodox Christian icon has grown considerably worldwide. With blockbuster exhibitions, ubiquitous reproductions and an ever-growing mountain of research and spiritual discussion, the once-marginalised icon now occupies an important place within the history of art, religious and cultural studies in wider western culture.

This course focuses the visual language of the icon and surveys the development of the most important iconographic themes across the centuries. We discover how to decipher the dominant iconographies of the icon, its multi-layered symbolic and theological meanings and consider the liturgical and devotional contexts of these fascinating panel paintings.

We also look at aspects of cross-cultural interaction through the wider circulation of icons beyond Byzantium, particularly during the late medieval and Renaissance period in western Europe and Mediterranean areas. We see how it influenced the work of Italian artists such as Cimabue and Duccio and track the icon deep into north-western Europe. To conclude our ‘Byzantine journey’, we survey icons in the modern world and how the ancient imagery is being interpreted today.

The course is led by Helen Dejean. Helen is a professional artist, iconographer and art history lecturer specialising in Byzantine and Late Medieval Italian art. She holds a MA in each of these subjects from The Courtauld Institute of Art, London, where she is a currently reading for a PhD in Byzantine art history and works as a Short Courses Tutor and Teaching Assistant. Helen also lectures independently for The Arts Society around the UK.

Previously Helen has delivered interdisciplinary courses in icon and late medieval panel painting in the UK, Italy and Sinai Peninsula and has undertaken many significant icon commissions for churches and cathedrals worldwide. Helen has also worked in the Russian art auction world, museum and adult education sectors.

What will we cover?

· Early Christian imagery, its origins, themes and function

· Iconoclasm and the formulation of Orthodox iconography

· Transmission of imagery, interpretations and adaptations

· Changing contexts and reception of icon.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

· Identify key iconographic subjects and themes

· Explain some of the forms and functions of icons

· Discuss the similarities and differences between icons from different periods and places

· Appreciate aspects of continuity and change in icon production.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for all levels.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.

The course includes material that some learners may find sensitive and challenging because it uses specialist terminology, theory and focuses on religious works of art.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will be taught with a combination of lecture (with powerpoint slides), discussion and group activities. There will less than an hour’s homework most weeks to complement and consolidate the course; either reading, reviewing handouts of class material or looking-up topics online. This course may use a Google Classroom for shared documents and course materials.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

· Byzantine Journey: pilgrimage and the art of St Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai

· Gallery taster sessions (Byzantine and Italo-Byzantine art).