Baptism of Christ Leonardo da Vinci Description. Baptism of Christ Andrea Del Verokko and Leonardo da Vinci

Andrea Del Virrocko and Leonardo da Vinci
Baptism of Christ
(~ 1472-1475) Tree oil. Gallery Uffizi Florence, Italy.

"Verrocko instructed Leonardo to write an angel holding robes. And, although he was a junc, he fulfilled it so that the Angel Leonardo came out much better than the Figure of the Verrocko. " (Vazari-1550g)

Next, art historian Vazari adds that the teacher was so upset by the obvious superiority of his student on himself, which since then did not touch the brush. We must make a reservation that even eyewitnesses sometimes invent dramatic collisions in order to give the necessary, in their opinion, the severity of their narration. But the point is not whether the Verrocko wrote or not. The fact is that the angel created by the twenty-year-old Leonardo in itself the signs of new painting, still unprecedented on the softness of lighting, on the charming of the solution of the image, by originality and virtuosity of the picture. (I. Dolgopolov) In the work, the artist was guided by the descriptions of the baptism of Christ in the Gospel (Matthew 3.3-17), but mainly in accordance with early descriptions:
Christ stands in the river Jordan and John the Baptist makes baptism. The Pigeon of the Holy Spirit is chipped above them, the above-hand of God Father. (14kbt)
On the left, one of the two angels holds the clothes of Christ. In the background, the palm tree, the tree of paradise, enlisions salvation and life and as it may make the place. Clear waters play around steep cliffs, on the mountain horizon, the picture seems filled with air.

Of course, not every detail of this story could confront the strict examination, however, a bold statement that Andrea del Verrrocko ceased to draw after this cooperation with the student may not be so implausible. There are some pictures that the Verrocko may be attributed after the "Baptism of Christ" paintings.

Is it possible that the master stood aside by giving painting part of the big picture of the student?
New studies give a more accurate answer than a simple joke, showing that the angel on the left edge of the picture, indeed, is different on technology and style from other figures.
Even earlier, the researchers have already indicated that in the position of the angel becoming knees, movement: it seems that it begins to get up. This style is typical for Leonardo: body turn, head direction, left elbow movement, right hand.
In addition, the gentle hatching of the skin of the angel's skin is clearly different from the more solid style, the usual in the works of the Verrocko.
Some conclusions can be made on the basis of technical research:
the body of Christ was obviously redone the oil later, the hatching of the skin seems softer than on the body of John the Baptist, drawn Verrocko using non-oil paints (Tempera), the landscape also has signs that he was converted repeatedly a more young painter.
However, if an angel in the left edge of the picture, the rewritten figures of Christ and a part of the landscape can be attributed to Leonardo, then the painting of the altar and most of the details of Andrea del Virrocko performed himself.

In this picture, which is an altar manner for one of the churches, depicted the baptism of John Jesus Christ. John and Jesus are in the waters of Jordan, and the knee-free angels are located next to them.

For them, a beautiful landscape is written, which brings the picture in his style for high rebirth painting.

John the Baptist (Ial. - Giovanni Battista). Forerunner or "monscan" of Christ. He was the son of Zechariah, the priest of the Jerusalem Temple, and Elizabeth, the relatives of the Virgin Mary. He was a preacher and led a ascetic life in the desert. He baptized in Jordan's waters of everyone who came to him in spiritual repentance. In the scene, the baptism of Christ can see the Holy Spirit in the form of a pigeon descending from heaven.

The pigeon is the Christian Symbol of the Holy Spirit, according to John the Baptist: "I saw the Spirit, coming from the sky, like a dove, and staying on it" (John 1:32). In this meaning, he appears in Andrea Del Verokko's picture.

Vazari writes: "And since Andrea never stayed idle and always engaged in some picturesque or sculptural work, sometimes I mounted one work on the other, so that one and also did not bother, as it happens to many, then, although he implemented The above-mentioned cardboard, nevertheless wrote something between other an altar image for nuns Dominica in Florence, who seemed to him, he came out very well, why soon he wrote in the Church of Santi Salvi Other for the Valvabrozy brothers, which depicted the baptism of Christ John; In this work, Leonardo da Vinci helped him, which was then young men and his student, writing there his own angel, which was much better than the rest. And this was the reason that Andrea decided never to be tightened to the brushes, since Leonardo, so young, in this art showed himself much better than he. " It is not known how much is true, but the fact that the angel differs from other figures is clearly noticeable.

(Matthew 3: 13 - 17; Mark 1: 9 - 11; Luka 3:21 - 22; John 1: 29 - 34)

Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John to be baptized from him. John kept him and said: I was needed to be baptized from you, and whether you come to me? But Jesus told him in response: Leave Now, for it should be fulfilled to fulfill all the truth. Then John admits it. And, barely, Jesus immediately came out of the water, - and the Heavens were rejected by him, and I saw John the Spirit of God, who went like a pigeon, and dusted on him. And this, voice from the heavens of the verbal: This is the son of my beloved, in which my favor.

(MF. 3: 13-17)

And it was in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth Galilean and baptized from John in Jordan. And when I came out of the water, immediately saw John expanding heaven and the Spirit, like a dove that comes out on him. And the voice was from heaven: You are my sweetheart son, in which my favor.

(MK. 1: 9-11)

"Trinity, repeated, although not quite clearly, felt in the Old Testament, here first appears in all its completeness," the famous theologian C. Skowofield. At the time of the baptism of Christ, John, three miracles were accomplished, which did not happen to anyone who took baptism.

First, as Mark shows, "I saw John expressed heaven." Screwed skies - metaphor, reflecting God's interference in human affairs in order to save his people.

Secondly, John saw the "Spirit, like a pigeon, coming to him," that is, in an affordable contemplation form (Luke has been said even more definitely: "The Holy Spirit launched on him in bodily form as a pigeon").

Thirdly, "voice was from heaven" - a voice of the Heaven's Father, which he expressed unconditional approval of Jesus and his mission.

In addition, in this gospel story, the second, who came to us, the saying of Christ - the words, addressed John the Baptist: "Leave Now, for it should fulfill our truth so." (First of his words, see Maria and Joseph reproach the restraint of them Jesus.)

Baptism, according to the teachings of all Christian denominations, is considered as the introduction of a person in the Lono of the Church. This is simultaneously an act of cleansing from sin, and the second birth in which the font is a symbol of a malfunction of a virgin, from which the dedicated is born again. Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments and one of the Epiphanies of Christ.

By virtue of all the stated plot "Baptism of Christ" has gained great importance from the first centuries of the history of Christianity and is already found from the III century in the painting of Roman catacombs and on sarcophagas.

The baptism of John the Baptist of Jesus Christ is the climax of the Earth's Mission of John. He spent his life to hermit, preaching his preparing the arrival of Christ, calling for repentance and prophesy the arrival of the Messiah. Both of them - John and Jesus - no longer meet in their earthly life. Due to the cardinal value that baptism had both for them, it finds a place in narrative patterns of paintings on the stories from life as John and Jesus. In the gortgic cycles of Christ, baptism usually takes place after the plot "twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple" and before the temptation of Christ in the desert. In the cycles from the life of John the Baptist, who received special distribution in Italy in the XIV - XV centuries, it follows the baptism of the entire people and precedes the arrest of John the Baptist.

The story of the baptism of Christ is contained in all four Gospels. However, there are serious differences, on the one hand, the synoptic gospels (as a whole) from the story of John and, on the other, the differences between the three evangelists. For us, in this case it is important to note that artists knowing about these differences reflected them in their picturesque interpretations of the plot of baptism.

So, Matthew and Mark indicate that Jesus was already baptized and came out (MF. 3:16) or went out (MK. 1:11) From the water, when heaven was expressed and the Holy Spirit came to him. Luka also claims that the Holy Spirit came to Jesus at that moment when, having prayed, he prayed: "When all the people were baptized, and Jesus, having praised, prayed: The sky was rejected, and the Saint Holy Spirit was on him" (Lux 3 : 21-22). As for the fourth evangelist, John cites the testimony of the Baptist - the prophecy of his students.

In painting, Luke version (Mazolino, Perugino, , Andrea del Verrrocko, ).

Pierodella Francesca Baptism of Christ (1445). London. National Gallery.

Andrea Del Virrocko. Leonardo da Vinci. Baptism of Christ (1470 - 1480). Florence. Gallery Uffizi.

Gerarddavid. Baptism of Christ (up to 1508). Brugge. Gorodsky Museum of Idyshchiki.

The plot of the baptism of Christ in art completed its iconographic development of about a century. At a later time, only individual components details were varied. the main thing actor - Jesus Christ - usually appears with long hair and beard, naked (in one looked outboard), in the middle of the Jordan River, in the belt or knee in water; His hands are folded in a prayer gesture. On the left of him on the bank of the river stands John the Baptist, he is closed in long clothes, in his left hand holds a long staff with a cross on the end or a scroll with his prophecy, and the right lay on Christ's head. For John, his students are often standing against the background of the highlands of the scenery. Heaven extends above the head of Jesus, from where the blessing hand is lowered - the symbol of the heavenly father; A ray of light flows from the sky, falling on the head of Christ, and the pigeon flies along it - the symbol of the Holy Spirit. This is the most general scheme. Now it is necessary to dwell on its individual elements in more detail to trace how their image changed.

Based on the stories of evangelists about the baptism of Christ, it is impossible to characterize all the details of this plot in painting. Other stories that would fully characterize at least the main parts of the image, the ancient literature does not give. Apocrypha in this case repeats the information available in the canonical gospels. There are no descriptions of complete baptism in the ancient authors. They also repeat the story of the canonical gospels. Nevertheless, these sources taken together, and in comparison with the liturgical practice of baptism, give sufficient material that clarifies all forms of the plot of baptism, as it appears in the monuments of early Christian and Byzantine art. Calculation of these forms helps to understand the features of the image of the baptism of Christ by Western artists.

JESUS \u200b\u200bCHRIST

The main acting person of the subject under consideration is Jesus Christ. He did not immediately depict a man of mature age and with a beard. In the sculpture of the Roman sarcophagus of the IV-Vi centuries, as in the painting of Roman catacombs, Jesus appears in the form of a boy, and John - a man of mature age, which is not consistent with the story. An explanation of such anachronism should be sought in the very concept of Christian baptism: Christ gave a sample of baptism. Children are baptized, and adults, which are thus born to a new life, in other words - become young. From this point of view, the Savior metaphorically be called the tags, which it is depicted in early Christian art. The form of Christ mature by age in the scene of baptism was finally established in the VI century, and since then the return to Christ, there was no pressure in this plot.

JOHN THE BAPTIST

John the Baptist is usually placed on the right of Christ the coast of Jordan, he places his hand on Jesus's head. The supervision of this is as a fact that took place with the baptism of the Savior, noted in the early church writers. We see it already in one of the early images of baptism in the Sacred Challenge of Catacomb Kallist (approx. 230). John is usually depicted on the river bank, while Jesus stands in water, thus, John may objectively be above Christ and lean to him, dropping on his knees, which was an expression of his humility and should indicate his words addressed to Christ: " It is necessary to be baptized from you. " In the art of counter-processing, the Jesus is more often kneelless before John. Such a interpretation relies on the teaching of mystics of the XVI-XVII centuries, especially those who emphasized the humility of Christ: Jesus, being sinless, liked himself sinner and performed a cleansing rite.

God Father and Blue - Holy Spirit

Over the head of Jesus is always depicted soaring white dove - Symbol of the Holy Spirit, and above it a symbol of a father's god - a belt image, or a head and shoulders (Rogir van der Wayden), or only one hands, letting dove ( Leonardo da Vinci). This type of image dominated up to the second half of the XVI century. In this case, there could be differences in the details. When the Father's God symbolizes only the hands, their fingers emit the flow streams. The words " HIC EST FILIUS Meus Dilectus"(Lat. -" This there is a son of my beloved ") can be written in the space of the painting over a soaring dove. This Latin inscription forms a very beautiful line on the picture of Rogira van der Waiden.

Angels

Angels, in order to balance the composition, are placed on the side of the picture opposite from John the Baptist - this is the left of Christ, standing by the viewer, the bank of the river. In the monuments of the ancient Christian art of angels, the Angels are usually two - a number natural to express the thought of artists: one angel contemplates the Holy Spirit, coming from the sky, and listens to the voice of the Father's God, the other looks at the Savior. Starting from the XI-XII centuries, the number of angels increases: most often depicts three angels, but sometimes their number reaches seven. In the Gospel, nothing is said about the presence of angel (or angels) with the baptism of Jesus Christ. The answer to the question than is justified by their introduction, again is in the plane of tradition, according to which angels, as servants of God, are present with all the most important events of the life of Christ. But if in other cases it is a glorious angels, then in the scene of the baptism of Christ, their appointment is different - it becomes clear if you draw attention to the fact that they are depicted with the cloths on their hands: the angels will fly off neophytes (new) at the exit of the latter from the font. "This is a real explanation," notes the famous Russian iconograf N. Pokrovsky, - according to which each iconographic detail of baptism should be a copy with one or another figure of the ritual, finds some support in the later iconography of baptism in the West, where artists sometimes portrayed in the hands of angels white baptism Tunics, which seemed to be for the vessels of Christ. "

In the monuments of Western European art, the initial item for the establishment of the iconography of the Baptism of Christ was the Byzantine samples. Italian monuments of the XII-XIII centuries retain not only the general Byzantine Baptism scheme, but also its essential iconographic details. In the Paduan Chapel, the bruises revitalizes the Byzantine scheme: it attaches more grace with fixed figures, gives them naturalness and beauty, introduces an image of a father's god in the radiant of the sky.

Jotto. The baptism of Christ (1304 - 1306). Padua. Capella overseas.

The Italian artists of the XIV-XV centuries are made by various household details in the Baptism composition: animals walk on the river bank, baptism take crowds of the people - the opportunity for artists to give portraits of their contemporaries, as it does, in particular, Perugino.

Special attention requires itself a way to make baptism: either baptism by immersion in water, or vengeance (or sprinkling). As a rule, preferable was the baptism of immersion. The baptism of pouring (or sprinkling) was allowed as an exception. In the West to the XV century, the prevailing was baptized by immersion. Western cathedrals insisted on baptism: Clermons (1268), Cologne (1280), Exeter (1287), Utrecht (1293), Würzburg (1298), Parisian (1355). But in the XIV century, the situation changes, and the baptism of the velvement is all bolder and finally, as the only one is approved in the Western Church, finally (by the XVII century).

Analysis of monuments visual arts Confirms this chronology: the prevailing form of baptism up to the XIV century was the dive into the font, in the XIV-XV centuries, there is increasingly mowing, in the XVI century, it becomes usual.

Among the many paintings of Western masters on the theme "The Baptism of Christ" is a special place due to the exceptional complexity of its iconography, the famous London painting occupies Piero della Francesca. In the center of her Christ. He is ankle in the waters of the river, his hands are folded in a Catholic prayer gesture. Near John the Baptist, he pours water out of a saucer on the head of Christ (baptism of pouring). Behind this main group, a undressing man going to take baptism (hint of the baptism of a set of people; see Mf. 3: 5 - 6). Over the head of Jesus, the Pigeon is picking - the Holy Spirit. In the background, a group of people, according to the species of oriental type (who are they? What do they mean their postures and gestures? Their bright clothes?). The type of three angels is even more mysterious (we judge them as angels, firstly, by their wings, secondly, by the place they occupy, - the usual place for angels in this scene). They do not worship Christ. One of them looks at the viewer and, as it seems at first glance, does not pay attention to the main action - the baptism of Christ, but at the same time he establishes direct contact with the audience and thus as if invites him to take part in this sacramental act. Pos and gestures, similar to what we see the angels in the picture have never met in the context of the baptism of Christ. Comparison with similar three antiquity compositions (poses, angles, gestures) makes aggravated with a witty guess of M. Lavina, according to which the angels here are an allusion on the "marriage feast" and, in this case, in the scene of the baptism of Christ, the other miracle with water is introduced into the scene - turning her In Wine on a marriage peer in the plot "Marriage in Cana". Connection on one picture of baptism and a hint of marriage in Cana with the conversion of water in wine (Bethany.) It has a liturgical rationale: both events are marked by the Western Church on the same day - January 6.

Picture i am strikingly enters the baptism of Christ and the third holiday of this day - the worship of the Magi (Epiphany.): Four figures in the background, which at first cause surprise - it is Magheva, one of which hand points to the star, bringing them to the place of birth of Jesus. Rodation of all three events as three Epiphanies emphasized medieval liturgies, such as Horoni Olensky (Augustoducan), Rupert and Durand. The baptism of Christ, they argued, happened on the same day thirty years later, as the worship of the Magi, and the miracle in Cana - on the same day a year after baptism. In one medieval antifone read:

TRIBUS.miracululus.ornatumdiem.sanctum.colimus.;

hodie Stella Magos Duxit AD PRAESEPIUM:

hodie Vinum Ex Aqua Factum Est AD NUPTIAS:

hodie in Iordane A Ioanne Christus Baptizare Volui

uT.salvaret.nos., Alleaia.

"We keep this day with the saints in honor of three wonders: on this day the star led the wise men to the nursery; On this day, the water appealed to wine on a marriage peer; On this day, Christ chose to be baptized John in Jordan for our salvation, Hallelujah. "

The typological aspects of the baptism of Christ received the most complete picturesque expression in the "Bible of the Poor". The corresponding illustration of it gives - in addition to the main event - the image, as usual in this book, the four prophets with their texts relating to this new tightening episode. So, Isaiah are depicted here: "And in joy you will leap water from the sources of salvation" (Is. 12: 3); Ezekiel: "And sprinkle you pure water"(Jes. 36:25); David: "In meetings, bless God of the Lord, you are from the seed of Israel!" (Ps. 67:27); Zechariah: "On that day, the source house Davidov will open." From scenes Old TestamentThe prototype of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, here are: the transition of Jews through the cherry (red) sea and the death of the Faramonic warriors, which were hung behind them (Ex. 14:26 - 30), and a huge bunch of grapes - a symbol of the fertility of the Land of the promised, which is carried on Two skewed (number 13:24).

A wonderful sample of the picturesque interpretation of baptism gives Rogir Van der Wayden on his altar of John the Baptist (Altar Miraflores). This plot is central in the altar, from two sides of him depicted "The birth of John the Baptist" (left) and "Death of John the Baptist" (right). The baptism scene is placed in the frame of the portal of the Gothic Cathedral: the distance between the columns is leaving the Jordan River; In the center of knee in the water, the figure of Christ in a loin bandage; John stands on the shore and out of her palm watering water on the head of Christ; On the other side of the Angel holds the clothes of Christ. On two columns and two consoles, as in the two other panels of this altar, are depicted four apostles with their attributes. In archived - six scenes in the form of sculptural compositions, three of which are associated with John (they precede the baptism), and three others represent three temptations of Christ. They follow directly for baptism in their order that Matthew (see The temptation of Christ in the desert). These scenes appear in such a sequence (from left to right): Zechariah prays, authorized by the Holy Spirit (dove), before the cradle of John the Baptist (?); John the Baptist in the desert; John the Baptist Captures People; The first temptation of Christ (with stones); The second temptation of Christ ("on the wing of the temple"); The third temptation of Christ (on high mountain). (About the side of the altar, see: The birth of Jesus Christ; Death of John the Baptist)

The popularity of the plot of the baptism of Christ is also explained by the fact that the paintings on this plot were ordered not only for the altars of Baptisteriyev (baptized) or churches set in honor of John the Baptist, but also by customers who were called such a name.

Examples and illustration

Andrea Del Virrocko. Leonardo da Vinci. Baptism of Christ (1470 - 1480). Florence. Gallery Uffizi.

Pietroperudzino. The signer of Christ (1478 - 1482) .Vatikan. The Sistine Chapel.

Rogir Wang der Wayden. Baptizing christ (after 1450). Altar John the Baptist (Altar Miraflores) (Central Chat). Berlin-Dale. Picture Gallery of the State Museum.

Gerarddavid. Baptism of Christ (up to 1508). Brugge. Gorodsky Museum of Idyshchiki.

© A. Makar.

And therefore, the paintings can often be considered not only as unique works of art, but also as a result of serious scientific observations and conclusions.

Leonardo da Vinci - the genius of the era

All his scientific findings and discovery were embodied in drawings, sketches, layouts, many of which can be equated with works of art, as well as works of art - painting, graphics, sculpture, etc. - are the focus of his scientific thought. Many of them seemed to be fantastic, are now perceived as prophecies. His discoveries ahead of his time. Therefore, many were not embodied then into reality. It is in relation to the work of Da Vinci that the phrase is quite applicable: "there is no limit to perfection." And it is not at all because followers can make a planned and created better, but because the master himself always sought to the ideal embodiment of the plan that this ideal was moved away later, and ultimately Leonardo did not finish work, because he could not achieve The desired ideal.

The history of creating a picture

The painting "Baptism of Christ" for Leonardo da Vinci became the last joint creative project With his teacher Andrea del Verokko. At that time, Leonardo had already graduated from learning in the workshop of a famous painter and began an independent path in art. By the time of the creation of the work he was about 20 years.

Actually the figure of Jesus Christ and the image belongs to the brush of Verokko, and the knee-free angel and the surrounding landscape are created by young Leonardo. There is a story set out that as if images created by Da Vinci were so beautiful than those wrote his teacher that Verokko from that moment was completely stopped to create. However, this information is not confirmed by facts.

It was from the painting "Baptism of Christ" began to manifest itself in the works of Leonardo da Vinci his amazing style, called painfully gentle.

Now the picture of Leonardo da Vinci "The Baptism of Christ" is exhibited in the Italian collection, in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

Plot works

The plot of the paintings "The Baptism of Christ", or the Epiphany - one of the popular in world painting of different historical epochs and style directions. He did not pass by and the creativity of Titanium Renaissance Leonardo da Vinci.

According to biblical texts, while on the shore in Jerusalem, the prophet John the Forerunner made sacred ablutions of people, preparing them for the coming parish of the Messiah, Jesus Christ was located nearby. He was once ashore of Jordan and turned to John with a request to baptize him. John was surprised: "I'm not me, but you should baptize me." However, the baptized of Jesus and began to be nice from that time the Baptist.

Description of the painting of Leonardo da Vinci "Baptism of Christ"

In the painting "Baptism of Christ" Andrea Del Vincie and Leonardo da Vinci in the center of the canvas in the foreground costs Jesus Christ. To the left of Jesus (right for the viewer) - John the Baptist. In his left hand, he holds a staff with a cruciform top, and in the right - a bowl with the pool, which he baptizes the Son of God. On the right there are two cranked young angels - the witnesses of the Sacrament are leisurely conversation.

Quiet and solemn, the nature surrounding them is consonant with the significance of what is happening. Jordan quietly rolls his waters by in the background, as if contemplating and encouraging what was happening. In heaven, we see the two revealed in the direction of the viewer of the palm, of which the white pigeon is evaporated. The palms symbolize the god-father, the pigeon is the Holy Spirit. On the one hand, these are characters God's blessing The sacraments of the sacrament, and on the other hand, the designation of the trinity of the Divine Essence, the all-knowing and all-seeing, omnipresent. In favor of the first, he says a quotation from the Gospel of Mark: "And when he left the water, immediately saw John expanding heaven and the Spirit, like a pigeon, converging on him. And the voice was from heaven: you are my beloved son, in which my favor."

The landscape in the picture, according to some art historians, resembles the species of Monsummano - a place located near the Motherland Leonardo - Vinci's villages - one of those expensive hearts of the corners, which da Vinci portrayed in his canvases.

Color Symbols in the Picture

If you turn to color decision Pictures "Baptism of Christ" Leonardo da Vinci, then you can select the predominance of blue-blue and white shades. And this is not by chance, because from the point of view of their cult value, blue-blue tones personify the infinity of the sky, another eternal world, the compound of earth and heaven, and white color personified divine light, purity and holiness. It is these colors that are used by the authors when creating the images of angels and John the Baptist, however, John had a black shirt on the body, which denotes death. And this is no accident - the ministry of John the Baptist Lord led him as a result of the tragic death. And the red color of the sleeves of the Father's god and the loose dressing of Jesus Christ means the victory of life over death and love to the neighbor and to all people. About the coming ends of Jesus resemble black stripes on his clothes. Golden stripes, nims and radiance, coming from brushes and pigeons, personify the radiance coming from God, the symbol of his blessing.

Masterpiece Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea Verokko invariably causes admiration from the contemporars. However, in books and other information sources there are practically no reviews of our contemporaries about the work. The question arises: "Why blogs and tourist pages in VK are not found among the works discussed detailed description paintings and reviews of the "baptism of Christ" Leonardo da Vinci? "

The baptism of the Lord, or the Epiphany, is called because, at the time of the baptism of the Savior, all three faces came Blessed Trinity: God Father, God Son, Brutal in Jordan, and the Holy Spirit, descended in the form of a dove.

Ravenna Mosaic - The first famous image of the Baptism of the Lord

From the early images of the Baptism of the Lord, Ravennic mosaics of the V-VI centuries are the greatest interest.

In the dome of the Orthodox Baptistery, the baptism of the Lord has a complex iconography: the Savior is represented by naked, with the Vlas of the Nicory Length, with a beard, with his hands lowered;

He stands on the belt in the water, and the spirit of the saint in the form of a pigeon descends on top of it.
John the Forerunner in the tunic stands on the rocky coast of Jordan; With his left hand, he holds a four-star cross on a high trek, and the right of the vessel stands to the head of the Savior.

The right to the Savior - in the waters of Jordanian - a bearded elder; in his hands covered and reed branch; This is an allegorical image of the Jordan River.
The central composition is surrounded by the majestic figures of the apostles, the first to adopted baptism; They carry the crown in their hands, intending to give them to the Lord.

The second half of the XI century. Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, Daphny. Mosaic in Trompe

According to famous icons from the Sinai Monastery of St. Katerina, belonging to the Comninovsky Epoch (the second half of the XI century), it is not difficult to imagine what the first images of the Baptism of the Lord, who fell into Russian land.

The naked Savior is completely immersed in Jordanian water;

He is in motion: it can be seen that he just entered, and immediately comes out (ABIE from the water - Mf. 3:17);

Forerunner, clothed in clothing from camel hair (Matt. 3: 4), standing on the shore, stretches to the Savior hand, fulfilling all the truth.

On the opposite shore of Jordan, the reverently bent angels are served by Jesus Clothes overlooking the water ...

Epiphany. Transformation. Resurrection of Lazarus. Middle of the XIV century. National Museum, Belgrade.

Ancient iconographic scripts, compiled according to Byzantine monuments, give a description of the Baptism of the Lord Briefly:

"Saving Nag ... government hand Blesses about the thigh, and the forerunner baptizes Christ.

Three angel ... tilted to the Lord, and the Forerunner Aki bowed to the knee. "

Later texts give description more:

"The Lord of Our Christ stands in Jordan Reta, Nag, the chapter she kept for the forerunner, Hero blesses Jordan.

On the right side of the Mountain Praselen (i.e., insensitive green);

The Forerunner on it stands near Jordan, abandoned to the Lord; And touched John to the land of the Lord, the rest of the Lord from the holy of the Trinity.

At the preported Rise from Vlas Velbuchi and the belt belt about silent it, and the riza shaggy San Cyro-wild (brown-olive).

On the other hand, the river Mount Wow with Bel, Aki sandy; Angeli stand, bowing to the Lord; One angel holds a white robe, the riza on it is a crimp, haking Lazorous; The second angel holds the robe of the crimson, the riza on it is a cinnabar, having gone prazen; The third angel holds the robe with Lazorovaya from Belly, and on it Riza Praselen, sinking a banana with Bellyli. "

We will pay attention to the rhesis that the Angels are made by the Lord - the colors of these three Reese remind the most important parties to the ministry of the Savior's world.

Clothes B. Sacred Scripture Considered as the primary condition of human life (Sir 29:24), revealing the properties of a person (Sir. 19:27).

In the Trinity's Epiphany, the phenomenon in Jordan is, and a description of the three riz of the Lord, the colors speak of the Saint Trinity in the essence of their faces about the properties of the Gods described by the Prophets; They open the secret of the future atoning sacrifice of Christ.

The white color of the Lord, marking the incomplete divine light, has an undoubted eschatological orientation: the students saw their divine teacher in shining whiteness, talking with the prophets of Moses and Elijah, who spoke about the outcome of him (Lux 9:31).

Sanding on the throne of the Old Day in the vision of the Prophet Daniel had white as the snow robe (Dan. 7: 9).

The red color of the riz, as the color of the flame divine love, can be assimilated by the IPostasi of God Father.

The color "Ladurn with Belly", the color of heavenly blue, corresponds to the hypostasis of the God of the Holy Spirit, King Heaven.

In the iconography of the Epiphany there is no visible presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

But this bugger is reminiscent of her - the royal porphyra! - which angels are made by the emerging from the waters of the Jordanian Christ: the inclined only Son of God is the world as the king of the world.

The Lazorovoi Riza, who was a reminder of the Savior, reminded about the glory sufferings of the Savior, is a reminder of water, who has expired with blood from his vested ribs (John 19:34). It should be remembered that the faces of the Holy Trinity are united in their own;

Son - in the father and spirit, father - in his son and spirit, the Spirit - in the father and son.

And if we consider colors as the symbols of the Holy Trinity, then any of the colors can symbolically reflect the ideas about any of the persons of the Trice deity.

Icon "Epiphany"

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Fresco

source of baptism: Text - Fragments of the prot. Nikolai Pogrebnyaka (now - bishop) "Trinity phenomenon in Jordan can ...". Note on iconography and geography of the Epiphany. Moscow Diocesan Vedomosti. 2003, №1-2

And Ivanov. The fact of Christ people

The phenomenon of Christ to the people.

Ivanov Alexander Andreevich. 1837-1857 Canvas, oil. 540x 750.

Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

Alexander Andreevich Ivanova

I saw an ancient Jordan.

Holy love and fear full

In his gospel waves,

Kupper Kresthen Christians

I plunged triple

Praying so that my soul

From ulcers and spots of being

The wave washed gracious.

From these doom, from these days

Among everyday care,

How little fresh impressions

It remains on my soul!

They walked under temptation

And the caustic cold fuss:

There is no pilgrim in me.

In me, a long vessel is idle.

I blush, looking at you,

Poet and worker-artist!

Rejecting flattering muses tripod

And the cross is a single burning,

Holy land alumni gravy,

You guessed her soul,

She won it for us

The brush is plenipotentiary.

And what are the people's court?

In our age brilliant rainfall,

Industrial and any transactions

How good is your work!

In one creature thought and feeling

All his life focused you;

Fan of pure beauty,

You tried holy in art.

In excess of sincere forces,

As a sample, thirsting salvation,

His spirit by post satisfying

You cut off, you cried.

In art strictly lonely

You lived for a long year

And then it seemed that never

Do not see bodily ok.

Holy Book Wonders

You were without cover,

And over your glance again

Okrew in the glory of heaven.

Voice in the wilderness

You heard you enjoyed -

And you captured this day

With his soul in his picture.

Longwater quietly;

On the bank of the River - Forerunner;

From the seats of the surrounding, score,

The people flock to it;

He dissolves well

Slepts Clapping breasts;

Having done God's way,

He calls for the rest.

And there descends from the peaks

Unknown, smarmer wanderer:

"He is getting, gentlemen chosen,

Coming on the harvest of God Son.

In hand shovel; the time will come,

He squeezes his gum,

Collect wheat grain

And in the flame will throw an evil seed.

Stronger and ahead of me

One who goes for me for me;

His turning to the legs - I do not stand

I unleash the belt from my feet.

Birth of a fountain world,

Just: Close Court. Bed.

Flowers growing without the fetus:

When rooted, they are secreir. "

So spoke before the crowd,

In bewilderment of the waiting miracle,

Covered camel skin

Messenger of God, Holy Husband.

In the painting, full of revelation,

All this handed you

As if from the forerun

You accepted the sacrament of baptism.

Peter Andreevich Vyazemsky

Baptism of the Lord (Epiphany)

Nesterov Mikhail Vasilyevich. 1890-1894.

Painting in the baptized of the Vladimir Cathedral in Kiev

Epiphany Water Management.

Boris Kustodiev. 1921
Private Assembly

excerpt from poem ... (...)

In Russia at this time of year
Epiphany is frost.
On rivers thick ice lies
Under the sun northern glitters.

And on the eve of the saint day
In the ice volume is drruck
"Cross." In it, water is sanctified
And Jordan called.

In baptism in Jordan can
Who wants, or plunge,
Or water to score saint
And bring her home.

And in churches, this water is sanctified.
Epiphany Water- Celebrator,
Saint and Epiphany,
Housing is sprinkled.

Holy water priest baptis
Designs the Holy Spirit from Heaven.
Baptized- we are members of the church
We all relate to the native cross.

He is protected from misfortunes,
Christ in it is with us
With him the godfather we go through
In life, the cross we carry our own.

Ariadna Leshchinskaya, parishioner
January 2003
It is written for the Christmas Church of John the Forerunner on Stone
Island of St. Petersburg.
Source of the Russian Orthodox Community of St. New Martyrovikov and Russian confessors in Brooklyn

From Christmas to baptism, only 12 days passes, and the two of these holidays are inextricably linked by tradition. The fact is that almost four centuries, starting from the III century, they were celebrated in one day - January 7, and this holiday was called the Epiphany.

On the day of the Epiphany, two main events related to the coming of Christ into the world were remembered:

Christmas is the beginning of his earthly life, baptism - the exit of the Savior for public ministry.

Having adopted baptism in the waters of Jordan, Christ retired for 40 days to the desert, and then returned to people and began to preach.

Interestingly, in the texts of the Gospels almost does not describe the thirty-year period of life of the Savior, who followed from Christmas to baptism.