Andre Rublev Icon of the Holy Trinity with 22k Gold Leaf
Stunning gold leaf framed icon set featuring Andre Rublev's Holy Trinity also known as the 'Hospitality of Abraham'. This beautiful and most famous of all icons which presents to our spiritual minds and hearts the Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, has long been treasured for its deep and powerful iconographic symbolism. At its heart is the Communion of Persons present in the love and total receptivity of each Divine Person, a communion which we are all invited to participate in by way of the Sacrament of Baptism. This icon It will undoubtedly make a beautiful and much turned to addition to any home or devotional area. Comes packaged with 'Made in Greece certification'. Base material: Traditional timber with 22k gold leaf. Size: 18 x 14cm.
Understanding the Icon: In Andre Rublev's icon, the form that most clearly represents the idea of the consubstantiality of the Trinity's three hypostases is a circle. It is the foundation of the composition. At the same time, the angels are not inserted into the circle, but create it instead, thus our eyes can't stop at any of the three figures and rather dwell inside this limited space. The impactful center of the composition is the cup with the calf's head. It hints at the crucifixion sacrifice and serves as the reminder of the Eucharist (the left and the right angels' figures make a silhouette that resembles a cup). Around the cup, which is placed on the table, the silent dialogue of gestures takes place. The left angel symbolises God the Father. He blesses the cup, yet his hand is painted in a distance, as if he passes the cup to the central angel. The central angel represents Jesus Christ, who in turn blesses the cup as well and accepts it with a bow as if saying "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will". (Mt 26:39) The nature of each of the three hypostases is revealed through their symbolic attributes, i.e. the house, the tree, and the mountain. The starting point of the divine administration is the creative Will of God, therefore Rublev places the Abraham's house above the corresponding angel's head. The Oak of Mamre can be interpreted as the tree of life and it serves as a reminder of the Jesus's death on the cross and his subsequent resurrection, which opened the way to eternal life. The Oak is located in the centre, above the angel who symbolises Jesus. Finally, the mountain is a symbol of the spiritual ascent, which mankind accomplishes with the help of the Holy Spirit. The unity of the Trinity's three hypostases expresses unity and love between all things: "That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (John 17:21) The wings of two angels, the Father and the Son, interlap. The blue colour of the Son's robe symbolizes divinity, the brown colour represents earth, his humanity, and the gold speaks of kingship of God. The wings of the Holy Spirit do not touch the Son's wings, they are imperceptibly divided by the Son's spear. The blue colour of the Holy Spirit's robe symbolises divinity, the green colour represents new life. The poses and the inclinations of the Holy Spirit and the Son's heads demonstrate their submission to the Father, yet their placement on the thrones at the same level symbolises equality.