Book Review: The Icon--Holy Images 6th to 14th Century

I found this book entirely informative, I must first say. Mr. Weitzmann is very thorough, going through the history of the Icon (a holy image for special veneration), and there is very little to be desired in the way of history & information in this book.

In his introduction, Kurt Weitzmann goes through the history of the Icon, through the 14th century (going into even before the 6th, and a bit into the later periods than the 14th, in the end, in some instances, despite what the title says), speaking of the formations, the influences, even the Iconoclasts and wars that helped shape the Icon, as certain materials, or beliefs, changed. The Icons we are used to today, and the types we see normally, have come a long way from the busts & carvings of ancient times.

I also liked reading about the different types of Icons, which to me, were for the most part unknown--such as mosaics, or Icons of ivory, or steatite. There were many types of Icons, not just the normal painted tempura on wood, or stained glass we might see in an Orthodox or Catholic Church today.

Mr. Weitzmann is, as I have said, complete in his information. In nearly every instance he gives has a picture (called either "figures" or "plates" in the book), to go along with his information of its type. There are pictures of ancient Icons, many that I had never even heard of, let alone seen, and Icons from all over the world and throughout history.

After his introduction section, he has each picture--7 figures (although throughout the introduction he has many more), and 48 plates, which are in color. The plates take up the right side of a page, whilst on the left he lists the country of origin, the type of Icon, & who it of. The variety is impressive.

On the downside, if you are looking for a book that is filled with fun facts, excitement, is Christian in its telling, and has bright coloring--this book will fail you. There were times I found it a bit boring.
But if you're looking for a book that informs you of history, straight thorough facts, & shows the different types of Icons--many of which you will not have seen--than this book will satisfy you. It is one of the most informative books I've read in a long time.