Rublev's famous icon of the Trinity.

Andrey Rublev – the greatest Russian icon painter. (1360/70-1430)

The learner of the Byzantine school Little is known about this pupil of great Byzantine master Theophanes the Greek, who worked in Rus. Andrei Rublev was most probably born in the Moscow princedom, into the family of an artisan, as the family name comes from the word ‘rubel’ – a tool used in the processing of leathers. The first mentioning of his name refers to 1405; the document says that for the decoration of the Annunciation Cathedral in Moscow Kremlin there were invited the famous Theophanes the Greek, master Prokhor and monk Andrei Rublev. This means that the painter had already changed the unknown to us name given on birth to the name of Andrei. Historians suppose that Rublev took his vows in the Troitsky (Trinity) monastery under abbot Nikon, pupil and successor of Sergei Radonezhsky. The decorations of the Annunciation Cathedral did not survive the turbulent time, but the Iconostasis still keeps 7 icons by Rublev. They are evidence of his high skills and the following of the Byzantine tradition. There is the second document, dated 1408, that Andrei Rublev and icon painter Danil (Daniil Tcherny) on May 25 started to decorate the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir. Those works are the only preserved murals by Andrei Rublev, which show his break/deviation from the Byzantine school, (for differences between the schools read….)

The Golden Age of Russian Icon Painter. Version of the Theotokos of Vladimir (1405)

Savior in Glory, 1408 (Dormition Cathedral, Vladimir)

Harrowing of Hell, 1408-1410 (Vladimir)

Ascension, 1408 (Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow)

Annunciation, 1405 (Cathedral of the Annunciation, Moscow)

The Old Testament Trinity, the best of Russian Icons The Church has many different depictions of the Holy Trinity. But the icon which defines the very essence of Trinity Day is invariably the one which shows the Trinity in the form of three angels. The prototype for this icon was the mysterious appearance of the Holy Trinity in the form of three travelers to Abraham and Sarah under the oak of Mamre. The Church specifically chose this particular icon because it most fully expresses the dogma of the Holy Trinity: the three angels are depicted in equal dignity, symbolizing the triunity and equality of all three Persons.

A symbol of high spiritual art According to the legend Andrei Rublev was a shy and calm person, was busy exclusively with divine service, icon painting and meditation. As all reformers Rublev was often criticized for deviation from the canons; his works were considered to be ‘very joyful’, ‘devoid of fear of the Lord’, ‘lacking splendor’ and much more. The date of his death, 1430, is the only precise date of his life. He was respected during his life and after his death became a legend, symbol of high spiritual art. However for a long time his authority was based only on the legend, because nobody knew exactly, which works belonged to him for sure, and the most famous of his works, the Trinity, has changed so greatly during time that it's became next to impossible to judge about its merit. Only in the 20th century thanks to works of many researchers and art restorers our understanding and perception of Rublev as one of the geniuses of the world art has been filled with real meaning.

The Andrei Rublev Museum of Ancient Russian Art This unique museum is the resting place for some of the most precious examples of Russian Orthodox art. This incomparable and unusual museum lies in the ground of the Andronikov Monastery, which was founded in the 14th century and long considered one of Russia's most important religious centres, involved in many of the country's defining historical and cultural events. Within the walls of the monastery is the Cathedral of The Saviour, built at the start of the 15th century and decorated by the legendary icon painter Andrei Rublev. His celebrated works take centre stage in the museum, too. The museum's collection also contains the greatest icons gathered from all over central and northern Russia. Here you'll find the richest collection of icons from the Moscow, Tver' and Northern schools of the 14th to the 19th century. Experts also praise the fragments of monumental religious art and the ancient wooden sculptures on display.