The courage to reflect is the bravery to create. The iconography of prof. Jerzy Nowosielski as an expression of religious consciousness

Abstract

This paper synthesizes the content that accurately and clearly reveals the essence of the sacred image commonly known as an icon. Professor Nowosielski has translated this content - that stems directly from the Tradition of the Orthodox Church and vivid religious experience - into contemporary, comprehensible language. This text shows that the novelty in the iconographic art is not merely a result of contemplation and a creatively justified artistic vision, a matter of allegiance or craft, but it is solely a combination of religious enlightenment and artistic inspiration. It proves that the canon in the icon is not understood as an external framework but as the core through which the icon exists as a work of art - the text of the Church’s faith shown on the soil of personal mystical experience and iconographer talent.