Beyond The Natural Eye

CarolineFurlongPantocrator_500.jpg

For centuries icons have been recognized as tangible reminders of the spiritual reality that surrounds and encompasses the world of the senses, and as such, impart grace to the faithful who gaze upon them.

CarolineFurlongGuardianAngel_500.jpg

Everything shown in an icon is symbolic. The figures depicted in icons are intentionally stylized and two dimensional.

CarolineFurlongTheotokos_500.jpg

The unseen "third" dimension of an icon is beyond the natural eye: an icon is a window into the spiritual dimension.

Images above by Caroline Furlong. Top and front-page mastheads: Pantocrator. Middle: Guardian Angel. Bottom: Theotokos.

Words above by Caroline Furlong.

See these icons and more in a new EDOT Gallery show — Icons and Saints, curated by Marilyn Biles — which opens November 7, 2010 and runs until December 30, 2010. EDOT Gallery is located at the Episcopal Diocesan Center, 1225 Texas Avenue in downtown Houston.

Posted by C. Robin Janning on November 6, 2010 3:58 PM | |
Comments (4)

Thank you for sharing these; they were timely too. My church, St. Elizabeth's Episcopal in Apex NC, was dedicated by our bishop today, and at the same time he blessed an icon of St. Elizabeth (John the Baptist's mother) which was just written for us. It is marvelous. I am so glad that the tradition continues!

Posted by Wendy Harrington [TypeKey Profile Page] | November 7, 2010 9:53 PM

For centuries people draw icons, they changed from century to century. There were rules and canons how the face must be drawn, the eyes, the body. It is very interesting to compare icons from different time. I read an essay about this once, but I guess some books about culture could help to find more.

essay writer - please sign you name next time you comment. ~ed.

Posted by essay writer [TypeKey Profile Page] | January 19, 2011 12:30 PM

These are timeless pieces. Not only are they works of art but more importantly artifacts which will stand the test of time. I am conducting a research to write my essay and found several sites - but these pictures were the most amazing.

Posted by Sara Brown [TypeKey Profile Page] | June 22, 2011 2:53 AM

Excellent work! You have a very interesting style. There is a feeling that they look at you from a picture. Although I have repeatedly faced with this kind of painting, and even wrote a few essays, but saw such a depth of only a few icons

Posted by Anna Tochenaya [TypeKey Profile Page] | August 15, 2011 11:15 AM

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