Writing icons

[JeanM]

Will someone who writes icons tell me why the term is "writing" instead of painting icons? Thanks.
JeanM

[Richard]

I have been told that the term writing icons is used because that is how the phrase used to describe the making of an icon is translated from the Russian, and because we read the meaning of the icon. For instance the Mother of God in the Hodegitria icon gestures away from herself and towards Christ because He is the Message and She shows the way. That would only be a very small part of the messages contained in a Hodigetria icon. The Hodigetria icon shows Our Lord on His Mother's knee.

I have also been told that using the term - writing an icon - is based on an incorrect or very literal translation and could be regarded as pretentious.

Regards

[turlogh]

I have also been told that using the term - writing an icon - is based on an incorrect or very literal translation and could be regarded as pretentious.
I don't work with icons, but I gotta say that every time I hear the term, I wince. It sounds very precious and highfalutin.

No disrespect is intended. Traditional icons are a truly wonderful art form. I just don't see anything wrong with using the word "painting" to describe the process by which they are made.

[JeanM]

Thank you for your comments. They are enlightening.
Jean

[Anonymous]

From what I have read, the word "write" is used because icons are scripture and the written Tradition of the Orthodox Church (or that of other denominations).

Just thought that I would try to alleviate some of the mystery.

John

[JeanM]

Thanks everyone. I think I understand more after your replies. Nowhere in any of my art history classes and text books did I encounter that word, "writing." But, that had to do with painting. "Writing" must be a theological term, not an artistic one.
Jean

[Richard]

A quote from the last newsletter of The Association of Iconographers of Ireland.

"In the Orthodox tradition, icons are not painted, as is implied in the word iconography (icon = image and graph = to write). They are, then 'written' and they express the truth and the theology of the Church."

I hope this is helpful.

[iconwriter77373]

A quote from the last newsletter of The Association of Iconographers of Ireland.

"In the Orthodox tradition, icons are not painted, as is implied in the word iconography (icon = image and graph = to write). They are, then 'written' and they express the truth and the theology of the Church."

I hope this is helpful.

Richard is correct. Thanks for posting this quote. I am an iconographer, but have been too busy being choir director lately to even read the board, LOL, so many thanks to those who already answered correctly.

Janet

[Salamander]

I have also been told that using the term - writing an icon - is based on an incorrect or very literal translation and could be regarded as pretentious.




Yessirree Bob!!! Not a term of artistic circles. Strictly a term of those that feel that they have it all figured out above and beyond those, that they feel, have not.

[Georgeoh]

The expression "write icons" got its start from Russian immigrants who literally translated the Russian word pisat in English. Pisat literally means to write or paint, depending upon the context. Hence, "pisat pismo" means to "write a letter," and "pisat cartina" means to "paint a picture."

In English, it is not clear to say "write icons" and is somewhat of an affectation among some icon painters. This is because we do not have the same etymology in the English language. When Russians use the word pisat in the context of icons, it is clearly understood as the act of painting, which I cannot say holds true for English speakers or readers.

[iconwriter77373]

George, I'm quite surprised to read your last post. I don't think this is a great venue for a disagreement over this, particularly since one of the posters on this thread has a remarkably snarky view of iconographers, apparently.

It's not an "affectation" to state that we "write" icons. Icons are the gospel in paint, they are the teaching of the church. They are also beautiful works of art, certainly, but they are more than that to we Orthodox. The Greek "grapho" is to WRITE. Not to PAINT. It is to "write icons" Icon-grapho.

I don't know very many iconographers that have "affectations". If we did, would we refuse to sign our work because it doesn't begin with us at all, and give no credit to ourselves? I'm very surprised, and very sad, to read what you wrote.

Jan (Mary Brigd) Pedersen

[Georgeoh]

Please read my words carefully, because I mentioned that among some icon painters it is affectation. As for the individual who is "snarky" about iconographers, it is to this person's own discredit as painting or writing icons is not about merely art, but is about sacred images.

Among Orthodox Christians, the icon has greater meaning than mere religious art; similarly, to all Christians the Bible has greater meaning than a mere book. Accordingly, the icon is the expression and proof of Divine Revelation in general and the Incarnation of God in particular, that is, in complete correspondence to the concepts embodied by the iconodule decrees adopted at the Second Council of Nicaea.

My statement was meant to clarify the meaning in English (as it is very clear in Russian) and when you create an icon you are painting. The act of painting does not detract from the sacred purpose of the icon any more than writing infuses the act with scaredness.

[Georgeoh]

Jan,

My earlier posting was meant to give a terse answer to the topic. The Egg Tempera forum is certainly not the place for such a discussion, so I do not wish to continue this topic in this forum, but I want to clarify my original post.

When speaking or writing I often chose clarity over primacy. So, when I speak or write to audiences unfamiliar with icons and icon painting, I use the word “paint” because this word in English best conveys the action taken by icon painters to create icons. Using other terms not only may cause confusion, but may also give cause for derision.

On the other hand, when speaking or writing to audiences familiar with icons, especially Orthodox audiences, I use either “paint” or “write” depending upon the meaning I wish to emphasize to describe the activity of the icon painter. The audience not only understands the correct meaning, but appreciates the meaning I am conveying from their life experience.

Using the expression “write icons” among audiences that do not have a deep connection with them is like talking about American pop culture to the indigenous of Papua New Guinea. It lacks clarity and currency in their culture. Insisting that they adopt American pop culture, such as dress styles, is ridiculous and ineffective. For this reason, I do not insist that audiences unfamiliar with icons use such terms. Unfortunately, I have witnessed some icon painters make such an issue of this matter that they give cause for scorn among such audiences.

The English language is unfortunately ill equipped with terms that give accurate and insightful meaning in many aspects of Orthodox life. For this reason, we must borrow words directly from the Greek and Russian languages to better express their meanings. For example, to describe the recessed area in an icon board, I use the word “kovcheg,” which in Russian literally means “ark” and is the word used to describe this feature in the Russian language. However, when writing to audiences unfamiliar with icons, I will not use this word, or else I will write a definition of the word. The goal is to reach my audience minds and hearts and to provide convincing evidence of my argument.

[Salamander]

Thank you.

[pinelopi]

The term comes directly from the greek language. The word hagiography means to write something sacred, holy. The greek word for painting comes from the verb "to write". That's because each letter of the alphabet began as a little drawing of something. Language is a powerful thing with strong memory, and in greek it has kept that memory. Writing an icon is not a posh phrase designed to turn people away, it is simply a very natural phrase in greek that sounds strange in english. Please trust me on this! :grin:

[JeanM]

Thank you very much for this latest post. I love learning more about icons and the traditions surrounding them.

[Kate]

I have always wondered why people get sooooooo wound up about this topic but I am going to add my 2 cents. I swear I am not trying to offend anyone but I would like to hear other peoples thoughts on the matter.

It seems proper to me to call it something other than painting because to most people it is not a form of "artistic expression". I have often thought it is more like trying be a recorder of a Saint. I have heard the "Pisat" explanation before but that doesn't really mean much to me because Russia was converted to Christianity in like 985 (I think?) so Icon painting/writing was around way before that and did not begin in Russia and was already very established by that point. I often wonder what an older group of Christian's like for example the Copt's call it....

Anyways

Kate