St Luke - discovery of an early icon

St Luke at his desk working studying

Number two on my renovation project list was an early icon I had painted of St Luke. Above is the completed renovation. In truth, it was a complete transformation from the original. Luke, it is claimed, was not only a doctor but an artist. He is credited as being the first to paint an icon of the Virgin Mary and child. The Virgin of the Sweet Kiss, as it was later known, showing the closeness of Mary and her beloved child in a tender embrace. Luke must have been an interesting person to have around and I am especially fond of him as I share his love of science, art and mysticism.

Study is a joy

Here, Luke is busy studying a scroll and checking out his tablet - looks a bit like an ipad. He has another little book on his desk and a stylus at the ready. Study is a great part of life - one can never get enough of it. Currently I am in the throes of completing a second degree in physics and maths with a module on astophysics. It has been a steep learning curve but I am loving the challenge and it is a constant wonder to discover how we can quantify objects far from our reach out in the galaxy. There is so much joy and delight in learning and my icon of St Luke, whom I have placed above and to the left of my desk, watches over my attempts at manipulating Kepler's Third Law and working out exoplanetary masses from calculations involving Einstein radii.

Reverse perspective and the Kingdom of Heaven

Notice the reverse perspective of his footsool and the building on the right. This is a special device in iconography whereby the observer is at the narrow end of a perspective's vanishing point and the space within the icon is drawing the viewer to a wider realm beyond. This is counter to the Renaissance practice of developing worldly perspective to capture reality as it is seen in everyday life. Not so with the iconographer- here we are interested in what lies beyond the perceived existence around us to something wider yet hidden. The secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven may be found within those dark interiors of the buildings - we have to go within to find them.

Truth and friendship

St Luke represents, for me, a person who uses his mind and thought profitably, not only to

My early version of St Luke - still loved

study what is needed for his work in the world, but to contemplate the inner life and experience of Christ. He is not one to waste his time with small talk, gossip and meddling, like so many do. He does not spend his time wondering what other people are up to but focuses on discovering truth. He has been with me right from the beginning of my journey into iconography. His icon was the second one I attempted during a course at Turvey Abbey around 2006, I think it was. As a beginner, I was not yet initiated into the art of gilding so I and my companions on the course simply painted a yellow halo. The image right shows this icon as it was.

He has been on my wall for almost two decades and last year he decided to fall onto the floor and grab my attention as he had obviously heard I was busy thinking about renewing some of my more worn out icons and completing some unfinished ones.

He was rather battered and the paint was unstable in places. The base was covered in candle wax but I was just going to tidy him up. However, something made me completely rework him. Part of me misses this humble little version of St Luke. It is like when we first learn something, we go for it like an enthusiastic child and there is a joy in discovery and even the unkilled lines are filled with this love and joy. It is to be treasured, such a work, as the foundations of a journey yet to unfold over the years. The newer version has gilding and richer colours and, as I gaze at him above me, I feel the presence of inner light and a warmth of love seems to flow out of him to where I am sitting. He is like a good and faithful friend who patiently accompanies you through all the vicissitudes of life and remains the same - is dependable and consistent. I love him so much. I love both versions My earlier version has something inside too - there is a steadiness in his being and a clarity of purpose in his work.

A new discovery

Now I am writing this I am discovering it is not the actual image that gives satisfaction but the quality of the content of the image, whether well executed or not. Such a quality comes from the symbiotic relationship between the prototype of the saint in heaven and the iconographer. Far be it from me to say 'I' have made this image because it is always something flowing through, wanting to be created and envisaged. I get 'help' during this process and have learned to trust it and follow it. I will talk more about this in future posts. It is a way to discover one's own truth, not to be mirrors of other people's expectations.

Next: Finally Finishing St Catherine- she has only taken about 12 years to complete!