Andrei Rublev

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For the film, see Andrei Rublev (film).

Andrei Rublev (Andrey Rublev, Andrey Roublyov, Russian: Андре́й Рублёв) (1360? – 1430?) is considered to be the greatest Russian iconographer.

Rublev's Trinity

There is little information about his life. It is not known where he was born. Andrei Rublev probably lived in the Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra under Nikon of Radonezh, who became hegumen after the death of Sergii Radonezhsky (1392).

The first mention about Rublev’s iconography was in 1405 when he decorated icons and frescos for the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Moscow Kremlin in company with Feofan Grek and Prokhor of Gorodets. His name was the last of the list of masters as the smallest both by rank and by age.

Chronicles tell us that in 1408 he painted (together with Daniil Cherni) the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir and in 1425–1427 the Cathedral of St. Trinity in the Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra. After Daniil’s death Andrei came to the Moscow's Andronikov Monastery where he painted his last work, frescoes of the Savior Cathedral.

The only work authenticated as entirely his is the icon of the Old Testament Trinity (ca 1410), at Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. It is also known as the Hospitality of Abraham.

In Rublev’s art two traditions are combined: highest asceticism and classic harmony of Byzantine manners. The characters of his paintings are always peaceful and calm. After some time his art came to be perceived as the ideal of Church painting and of iconic art.

He died at Andronikov Monastery on January 29, 1430. His art influenced many different artists including Dionisy. At Stoglavi Sobor (1551) Rublev’s iconography was announced as a model for church paintings. He was canonized in 1988 by the Russian Orthodox Church. The church celebrates his memory on July 4. [1][2]

Since 1959 the Andrei Rublev museum has been open in Andronnikov Monastery, showing the art of his works and his epoch. In 1966, Andrei Tarkovsky made a film loosely based on Rublev's life: see Andrei Rublev (film).