Sometimes it is believed that icons are only in Orthodoxy. This is not entirely true. Catholics also have icons. However, they have significant differences. Consider the features of icon painting and photos of Catholic icons.
How to distinguish
There are specific differences. So, in Catholic images the left hand of the saint lies on top of the right, and on Orthodox - the right on top of the left. Signatures on icons in Catholicism are written in Latin. And according to the Orthodox canon - Greek. In the Russian tradition, it is also possible in Church Slavonic letters.
Differences between Orthodox and Catholic Icons
So. The main difference between the Catholic icon and the Orthodox one is a great “liveliness”, emotional image, which makes the picture more like a painting. Initially, there were more biblical paintings in Catholicism than images of saints. Therefore, the means of expression - figures and facial expressions, the brightness of colors - in Catholic and Orthodox icons are very different. For example, a Catholic saint may have a crown instead of a halo. In the Orthodox tradition, this is impossible. All this is connected with the purpose of the icon. In Catholicism, they are more often placed for beauty and the creation of a religious setting, and not for prayer.
Catholicism now has a sufficient number of icons, which are not the plot, but represent the image of the saint. But they also show more than the Orthodox, emotional expressions, prescribed details and chiaroscuro. Details that are impossible for Orthodox icons may be present, such as a heart on the Catholic icon of the Mother of God, "Immaculate Heart."
What is the meaning of icons in Catholicism and Orthodoxy
Distinctive features of Orthodox and Catholic icons are due to cultural tradition and some difference in the perception of Catholics and Orthodox.
Initially, the school of Orthodox icon painting was formed under the influence of the Byzantine school. On her, in turn, was greatly influenced by the Eastern tradition, the characteristic features of which were smooth lines, severity, majesty, solemnity, radiance. The purpose of the image here is to evoke a prayer mood in a person, a desire for God, and nothing more.
The Catholic icon arose in other circumstances. It arose as an illustration on a religious theme. Her task is to teach, instruct, and tell a biblical story, and not to arouse a prayer mood. The sensuality of icons has become one of the reasons why Protestants abandoned them as images that are far from divine.
Difference of canons
In Orthodoxy there is a clearly defined canon of icon painting - the rules for creating an icon. It was created so that the icon painters do not bring too much personality into the icons. Deviations from it are impossible, except for colors, the gamut of which can vary in different icon-painting schools. Nevertheless, color always carries a semantic load.
For example, according to the canon, the Mother of God is dressed in a purple plate (symbol of greatness) and a blue tunic (symbol of heaven, eternal peace). Her icon is indicated by the Greek letters MP-MF. There is always a halo. It should be noted that in Orthodoxy there are images of the Virgin in the crown. This is an element borrowed from Catholics or Uniates. The crown in this case does not replace the halo, but is present on the icon simultaneously with it.
There are also canons of the image of Jesus Christ and saints. There should not be a portrait likeness according to the canon, but the characteristic features make the recognizable image. Other components of the canon are the two-dimensionality of the image, the reverse perspective (an increase in objects as they are removed), and the absence of shadows. All this is intended to best convey the image of the divine kingdom in which the saints are located.
For the Catholic icon, there are no canons regulating its writing. It is a portrait or a painting, the distinguishing feature of which is the presence of saints and a religious plot. Everything else is dictated by the imagination of the artist. Catholic icon is written by the author. Most often, the person who wrote it is precisely known. In Orthodox icon painting, on the contrary, anonymity is common, as several icon painters often work on the icon. Although they often say “the icon of Andrei Rublev” or “the icon of Feofan Grek”, it would be correct to call them “the icon of the school of Andrei Rublev” or “the icon of the school of Feofan Grek”.
Common Icons
There are icons equally revered by Catholics and Orthodox. For example, some Orthodox icons of the Virgin, such as Kazan, Ostrobramskaya and some others, are revered by Catholics. Or the icon of the Catholic tradition “Tenderness of Seraphim-Diveevskaya”. Before her, St. Seraphim of Sarov was in prayer. As well as the Catholic icon of Jesus Christ "Gethsemane prayer" ("Prayer for the chalice").
Comparison
To better feel the difference, consider the image of the Catholic icon of the Virgin Mary (with us it is considered only a picture) - Botticelli's work “The Annunciation”, as well as the Orthodox icon “Ustyuzh Annunciation”, created in the XII century by the school of Andrei Rublev. The Annunciation is a holiday equally revered by Christians of both faiths.
The Annunciation by Sandro Botticelli
Catholic icons are more sensual, they depict real people, not their images. In the religious painting by Botticelli, Maria looks like an earthly beautiful girl, in an emotional pose, talking about her embarrassment in front of the Archangel Gabriel. All details of the picture are clearly spelled out - shadows, elements of clothing, facial features. There is a prospect - all objects decrease as they move away; this does not exist in Orthodox icons. There is an underlined division of space into internal and external, which is not found in Orthodox icon painting: the Archangel and the Virgin Mary are in the room, the landscape of the city is depicted outside.
The nimbuses above the heads are brown (in Orthodoxy - a symbol of corruption and human nature) and look more like hats, look like separate objects. On Orthodox icons, they are always made in bright colors and come from the depicted image, representing as if radiance emanating from within. The colors of the picture have no symbolism.
Icon "Ustyug Annunciation"
The icon "Ustyuzh Annunciation" is made in a completely different way. The action takes place in another, two-dimensional dimension - there is no depth. This light, golden background, symbolizing the Kingdom of Heaven, emphasizes the difference between the Mother of God and the Archangel from ordinary people.
From some details, you can understand that the action of the icon still takes place in a particular place - the temple, but this space is still different, divine, not from this world.
The figures are vertical, without emotional gestures and impulses. The whole icon seems to be directed upward. The hand of the Archangel is raised for blessing, the appearance of the Mother of God speaks of the humble acceptance of God's will. Unlike Botticelli's paintings, there is no emphasis on the beauty of clothing or faces. Pure, humble, unemotional faces are a characteristic feature of Orthodox icons.
All colors matter: the purple clothes of the Virgin Mary emphasize her grandeur, the green tones present in the clothes of the Archangel Gabriel mean life, the good news of the conception of a new life.
Thus, the spiritual icon prevails in the Orthodox icon; vertical talking about aspiration to Heaven. In the picture, Botticelli, on the contrary, emphasized the earthly beginning, expressed the horizontal image, as if tying the action to the earth.