The Art of Seeing

the long version

The Art of Seeing explores sacred images in light of Orthodox theology, making special use of perspectives and insights from the patristic interpretation of sacred texts. Drawing on the disciplines of art history, aesthetics, and theology, this innovative study explores the phenomenon of paradox – at once artistic, visual, and cognitive – through which sacred images disturb the eye and provoke the mind to reflection. This book is concerned with the meaning of the icon within the Orthodox tradition and yet yields to none in its scholarly credentials. It is beautifully written: the frequent insights are expressed in compelling language. On page after page, one finds oneself looking at even familiar figures in icons with fresh eyes, often as if seeing them for the first time. The book consists of four lectures, originally given quite separately. Together they make a satisfying book, the unity being provided, not by a series of complementary themes, but by the mind and eye of Fr Maximos.