Daniel Black - Portrait Against the Time

At the time the greatest painter for Russia was the great icon painter Daniil Black (1350-1428). The people languished under the yoke of Batyi's troops that came from the east. They burned and ravaged the cities, villages, villages and took them to the Russian people.

Life of the icon-painter

Historical sources are not preserved at all. There were no reliable information about the icon painter. Daniel Black worked in those dark and gloomy times, when fires were everyday. Manuscripts and annals burned in monasteries, centers of culture. Therefore, we know practically nothing about how Daniel Cherny lived. His biography is hidden in the centuries. Tatar-Mongolian raids to the north-east of Russia were common. For a hundred and fifty years of yoke people are used to being afraid. But the artist's job is to raise the person's state of mind, help them to believe, love and live despite the circumstances. And besides, there was no unity in Holy Russia itself. The princes endlessly fought each other. The Russian people perished in the quarrel among the princes.

Painting of medieval Rus

And at such a time Russian painting is experiencing an unprecedented flourishing. The names Theophanes the Greek, Daniel Black, Andrei Rublev - the pride of Russian culture. They were monks-icon painters. Their work was greatly influenced by the iconographic culture of Byzantium. But in Russia over the centuries it underwent a transformation. Icons, however, were also written on the boards. But the artist pondered for a long time how to reflect the divine plan. Daniil the Black painted the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir-on-Klyazma with frescoes and painted icons.

The icon "John the Baptist" is dedicated to the heavenly patron who promotes the world and heals from diseases when they come to him with prayer and faith. The execution of frescoes requires the artist great speed in work, and therefore, great skill. Just on wet plaster, the paints dry quickly, and the artist needs precision. The icon painter has only a few works, for example "St. Martyr Zosima "(1408). It was a good Hermit hermitess who communicated with wild animals as with people, and this was sent to him by the Lord for comfort. But that's why he was accused of witchcraft and, having betrayed the agony, was killed. Why did the icon painter draw the image of this saint? Probably, because both Tatars and princes did not appreciate people and ruthlessly destroyed them. St. Zosima should remind our princes of mercy. Through the centuries the fresco delivers the color of its era. The golden background is the background from which the figure of the saint appears and all is glowing white with a white outfit. There is no diversity in the work. The colors are fresh and harmonious. In the hands of the saint is the Scripture, which in difficult moments gives him strength.

Fresco "Lono Abrahamovo"

The elder, whose name was previously translated as "my father is tall", with his wife Sarah had no children. But the Lord brought him out of the city of Ur, giving a new name - Abraham, which means in translation "the father of many nations", and produced from him a new God-chosen people. And to be connected with his womb means to hide behind the protection of Abraham. And in those days, and nowadays this theme, the theme of concealment from troubles and misfortunes, does not cease to be relevant. Fresco personifies paradise. It is made in noble calm blue-green tones, which remind us that there is a place of comfort and salvation.

The work of Daniil Chernoy influenced the work of his brilliant pupil and friend Andrei Rublev. It was a true painter who brought comfort and hope to people.

He died of the plague and was allegedly buried in the Spassky Cathedral of the Andronikov Monastery, which stands on the shore of the Yauza River.