During the most difficult times for Russia, the great icon painter Daniil Cherny worked (1350-1428). The people languished under the yoke of the troops of Batu who came from the east. They burned and ravaged the cities, towns, villages, and led away full of Russian people.
Icon painter's life
There are no historical sources at all. There is no reliable information about the icon painter. Daniel Black worked in those dark and gloomy times when fires were everyday. In monasteries, cultural centers, manuscripts and annals burned. Therefore, we know almost nothing about how Daniel the Black lived. His biography has been hidden for centuries. Tatar-Mongol raids in the north-east of Russia were commonplace. For one hundred and fifty years, people are used to being afraid of yoke. But the artist’s business is to raise the mental well-being of a person, to help, contrary to circumstances, to believe, love and live. And besides, there was no unity in Holy Russia itself. Princes endlessly fought with each other. Russian people perished in the strife of princes.
Painting of medieval Russia
And at such a time, Russian painting is experiencing an unprecedented flowering. The names Feofan Grek, Daniil Cherny, Andrei Rublev are the pride of Russian culture. These were monks, icon painters. The icon painting culture of Byzantium greatly influenced their work . But in Russia over the centuries, it underwent a transformation. Icons, however, were also written on the boards. But the artist pondered for a long time how to reflect the divine plan. Daniil Cherny painted with frescoes the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir-on-Klyazma and painted icons.
The icon "John the Baptist" is dedicated to the patron saint of the heavens, who contributes to the world and heals from illness when they come to him with prayer and faith. The execution of frescoes requires the artist great speed in work, and therefore, great skill. Just on wet plaster, the paints dry quickly, and the artist needs precision. The icon painter has only a few works left, for example, “St. Martyr Zosima ”(1408). He was a good hermit who communicated with wild beasts as with people, and this was sent to him by the Lord as a consolation. But that is why he was accused of witchcraft and, betraying torment, was killed. Why was the icon painter attracted by the image of this saint? Probably because the Tatars and princes did not value people and ruthlessly destroyed them. St. Zosima was to remind our princes of mercy. Through centuries, the fresco brings the flavor of its era. The background is covered with gold, from which the figure of the saint appears and glows with a white outfit. There is no diversity in the work. Colors are fresh and harmonious. In the hands of the saint is the Scripture, which in difficult times gives him strength.
Fresco "The Womb of Abraham"
The old man, whose name was previously translated as "my father is high," had no children with his wife Sarah. But the Lord brought him out of the city of Ur, giving a new name - Abraham, which means “father of many nations”, and produced from him a new God-chosen people. And to be connected with his bosom means to hide behind the protection of Abraham. And in those days, and today, this topic does not cease to be relevant, the theme of hiding from adversity and misfortune. The fresco personifies paradise. It is made in noble calm bluish-green tones that remind that there is a place of comfort and salvation.
The work of Daniil Cherny influenced the work of his brilliant student and friend Andrei Rublev. He was a true painter, bringing people comfort and hope.
He died of the plague and was presumably reposed in the Spassky Cathedral of the Andronikov Monastery, which stands on the banks of the Yauza River.