纪录片《大英博物馆世界简史》 067正信凯旋圣像（4）（在线收听）

The painting of icons was primarily a spiritual rather than an artistic activity, and it was governed by strict guidelines. The particular artist is not important, what's key is motivation and methodology. It's an aspect of icons that fascinates the American artist Bill Viola:

"Ok, this is a short text that I found in a book, and it's a text from the Middle Ages, and its called the 'Rules for the icon painter'. 'Number one, before starting work make the sign of the cross, pray in silence and pardon your enemies. Two, work with care on every detail of your icon, as if you were working in front of the Lord himself. Three, during work, pray in order...' "And so the tasks go on - always emphasising that the artist's principal obligation is spiritual:

" '... Nine, never forget the joy of spreading icons in the world, the joy of the work of icon painting, the joy of giving the saint the possibility to shine through his icon, the joy of being in union with a saint whose face you are painting.' "

绘制圣像画基本当属宗教活动而非艺术行为，它有严格的指导章程。画像究竟出自谁手并不重要，重要的是动机与方式。这一点吸引了美国艺术家比尔维欧拉，他引述一份中世纪的文献说：

以下是一篇中世纪的短文，名为《圣像画守则》。

第一，在作画之前要画十字并默祷，宽恕你的敌人。第二，每一笔都要小心谨慎，如同你是站在上帝面前作画。第三，在绘画过程中，有节奏地进行祈祷。第九，绝不忘记将圣像传遍世界的喜悦，绘画过程的喜悦，让圣徒的光芒通过画像闪耀的喜悦，与你所绘制面孔的圣徒相联合的喜悦。