Holy Wisdom 1670

This 58 by 55 cm icon of Holy Wisdom was likely made in Russia, though we can't know the exact date. These icons played a vital role in Russian Orthodox worship, acting as windows into the divine. Holy Wisdom, or Sophia, is central, enthroned and flanked by figures with scrolls. Above, Christ is shown in a mandorla, surrounded by angels. Icons like this visually reinforced the hierarchical structure of the church and its teachings, helping to transmit religious doctrine to a largely illiterate population. They also created a sense of shared cultural identity, reinforcing the power and authority of both the church and state. Understanding the socio-political context of these icons requires delving into the history of the Russian Orthodox Church and its relationship to the ruling powers, as well as the development of Russian artistic traditions. These resources allow us to understand the meaning of the art as something that is dependent on social and institutional context.