Upon researching this icon, it is unclear to trace it’s lineage or it’s place in Orthodox tradition. Some deem it heretical, others embrace it. It seems to be of Catholic origin, yet found its way into Orthodox iconography. There are some examples of it completed in the traditional iconographic method. The heresy behind this depiction of the Holy Family is based primarily on the subordination of Saint Joseph and his contribution, and the undermining of the virginity of the Mother of God. I shan’t delve too deeply on the subject here, but if you are curious about the heretical understanding of this icon, an essay can be read here.
Is this extreme? Personally I find this a bit too cutesy for an icon…. It makes me think of those wonderfully cheesy 80s and 90s family portraits.
I suppose it could be a lot worse……
When it came to this commission, being aware of the implications of the embracing family, I thought I would take cues from Aidan Hart’s marvellous composition of the Holy Family.
Taking the idea of the table as the central unit, I of course thought of the Trinity. To say it went on to be inspired by the Trinity is an understatement… I certainly don’t want to make any parallels of thought or theology in this depiction. I was more so drawn to the unity and harmony of the masterfully composed Trinity. Particularly the dynamic around the table, thinking of the table as a central part of the family, I thought this would be a strong backbone to the composition. Another aspect of the Trinity which I thought important to include is the chalice type frame, it is that reminder of Christ’s sacrifice, and the eucharist.
The icon is not something to be decoded. It is an event that is to be contemplated, experienced and internalised. I don’t wish to come across too psychological when describing the thoughts behind this icon, yet I feel some description is necessary as it is an imagined event within the account of the life of Christ. We can only speculate what the family life may have looked like, there isn’t much information at all about the early years of Christ, and certainly no detailed description of how the Mother of God may have mothered Christ and how Joseph supported them. One intention with this was the thought of a moment in their daily life foretelling of what’s to come, the eternal meal shared at the table, shown with the bread and the chalice of wine.
I’m going to sound like a broken record every time I mention the Romanesque… Perhaps I need a swear jar to put a pound in every time I type it. But needless to say, I of course turned to the beloved Romanesque period for inspiration in regards to drapery.
Below shows the gradual emergence of the carving in oak.
If you would like to commission a carving of any size, do get in touch with me through my website: ewancraig-art.com
I love your work and hearing about how you go about it. I also very much like your words about not picking an icon to pieces but experiencing the moment it depicts