Dear friends!

We are glad to introduce the next release of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra “Artistic Heritage”.

Today we are going to continue acquainting you with the paintings of Lavra’s Church of Sts. Anthony and Theodosius Pechersky. The publication will be dedicated to the image of St. Aaron the High Priest.

Aaron was Moses’s elder brother. His image can be seen in one of the medallions of the frieze (in line with other Old Testament saints) located under the Church’s dome. St. Aaron the High Priest was usually depicted with the breastplate as well as incensory and rod in his hands.

According to the Bible, Aaron had rather soft and conciliatory character. But Ivan Izhakevych, who created the portrait of the Saint, saw the personality of the prophet in a different way. Perhaps, it was because of the painter’s subjective view. Speaking about the emotional palette of the Saint’s image, one would clearly observe the feeling of confusion that prevails on the Aaron's face. His hands, which are raised to the chest level in an impulse, add to the reflection of his emotions. Such an agitated gesture of annoyance and pity makes superfluous the presence of “must have” attributes of the High Priest. The prophet looks worried and anxious. In the absence of Moses, at the request of the people, and under the pressure of circumstances, Aaron fashioned the figure of golden calf (Egyptian God) for worshippers. Now, as if realizing his fatal mistake, Aaron is depressed by what he has done and repents.

The way Ivan Izhakevych painted Aaron’s long and snow-white beard shows that the artist followed the established canon. Its forked ends, the asymmetry of the raised hands as well as the slight shift of St. Aaron figure to the side demonstrate that the image of High Priest was deprived of that special steadfastness and longanimity the artist could endow the portrait of his brother with.

Caption to the illustration:

1. Ivan Izhakevych. St. Aaron the High Priest. Early 20th century. Frescoes of the Church of Sts. Anthony and Theodosius Pechersky

Prepared by Olena Pitateleva

Senior Research Associate

Research Division of Studying Artistic Heritage