As I re-read my last few posts, it almost appears as if I am bubbling over with "my" ideas to be incorporated into "my" painting. That is unfortunate, because this entire process is unfolding within the ever-present and weighty precepts of Iconography. I am ever-mindful that I do not venture far beyond those accepted precepts.
The metaphor that works for me is likening the painting of an Icon to translating Scripture.
Back in the First Century, St. Paul, in his rendition of a verse from Isaiah, writes,
"“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived” —
the things God has prepared for those who love him
(1 Cor 2:9, New International Version)
Of course, Paul wrote that in Greek, and the NIV is a translation of the Greek words. Throughout the centuries, Biblical translators have wrestled with precisely how to go about creating these translations: Does one simply do a word-for-word translation? Does one use a phrase by phrase translation, or simply convey the 'thoughts?' Should the translators have used "brain" or "mind" in the verse above? Is it appropriate to a choose a more modern word, or to change the word order to convey meaning more accurately to a 21st century audience?
Below are some other renditions of this same verse:
King James Version:
Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Contemporary English Version:
What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!"
American Standard Version:
Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.
One can readily see that all translations seek to convey the same meaning...but they each use language and grammatical structure and words consistent with their translation philosophy. Even Clement himself chooses yet a different wording when repeating this verse at 1 Clement 34:8:
"Eye has not seen and ear has not heard and man's heart has not conceived what he has prepared for those who patiently wait for him."
Interestingly, this precise translation is Clement's alone, and not present, in this exact form, in any specific Bible translation.
But again, Even taking into account the stylistic differences between these translations, it is clear that the intent and the message is the same in each. While Church Fathers often 'stray' from precise quotations, and a plethora of Bible translations has resulted in giving many different 'faces' to specific Bible verses, there is still, for the most part, a significant similarity between them.
On the other hand, suppose someone chose to "translate" this verse as follows:
"Their eyes are blind, and their ears are deaf. Mankind is ignorant. God's plans will never be enjoyed by these haters."
While such a verse has tenuous connections to some of the context of the original, its intent, emphasis, and character is terribly skewed from the other translations above. It would not be a faithful rendering of the Scripture verse.
Now....consider Icons as the tradition of the Church as portrayed in symbolic pictures, rather than letters.
I can not, must not, will not simply come up with 'my idea' and put it on canvas. The symbolism, the stories, the Person of Clement must be a faithful rendition of the Saint, not simply a creative, artistic expression.
That requires a great deal of prayer, and of consideration for the icons painted in the past (as they related to St. Clement), and with respect to basic iconographic symbolism...and this is a discipline that weighs heavily on me each time I consider the development of this icon.
"Almighty God, you chose your servant Clement of Rome to recall the Church in Corinth to obedience and stability; Grant that your church may be grounded and settled in your truth by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; reveal to it what is not yet known; fill up what is lacking; confirm what has already been revealed; and keep it blameless in your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen."
- Collect for the Feast of St. Clement, Episcopal Church in the USA.
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