Presentation of Jesus at the Temple 1410

This image of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple was created by Andrei Rublev in Moscow, Russia, likely in the early 15th century. Rublev painted this icon on a wooden panel prepared with layers of gesso, a traditional ground for painting. Notice the fine details, achieved through delicate brushwork, especially in the figures' faces and drapery. The artist used egg tempera, a fast-drying medium made from egg yolk, water, and pigment. This gave the painting a luminous quality, with bright colors achieved through the layering of thin glazes. Consider how the materiality of the icon affects its meaning. The use of precious materials like gold leaf elevated the image to a sacred status. It required a community of workshops and skilled labor to produce: panel makers, gesso preparers, pigment grinders, and painters. The collective effort imbued the icon with cultural significance and symbolic meaning, connecting the physical object to spiritual values. Rublev’s artistry transformed ordinary materials into an object of devotion. He challenges our conventional distinction between fine art and craft by imbuing this devotional image with skill and deep cultural meaning.