Hezychastyczna praktyka milczenia w ujęciu Jana Klimaka (579–649) i jej wpływ na przedstawienie twarzy w ruskiej ikonografii przełomu XIV i XV w.

Abstract

The first part of the article describes the practice of silence according to John Climacus (d. 650), which was characteristic of those ascetics who led solitary lives and sought to achieve the peace of mind and body. The second part discusses the influence of mystical thought (hesychasm) on the output of two Russian icon painters, Theophany Greek and Andrew Rublev. The practice of silence, popular with ascetics, also affected the images of people depicted on frescoes and icons from the late 14th and early 15th centuries. The depictions of saints, God’s Mother and angels reveal certain characteristics. Their faces express peace and seclusion from sensual experiences and worldly affairs, which is manifested by the delicacy of their facial features. The characters demonstrate absolute obedience to God. Their mouths are closed, which means that they practice silence and renounce their own will. The holy persons’ small mouths also indicate that they control their senses and stifle emotions. They seem to be engrossed in prayer during which they remain silent.The Russian icon painters of the 14th and 15th centuries were also reticent in their work and used simple means of expression without redundant elaborations.