Icon Painting Faculty Hosts Defense of Final Projects

On June 25, the defense of final projects for graduates of the second stage of the Icon Painting Faculty took place in the Great Hall of the Moscow Theological Academy. Throughout the year, fifth-year students worked consistently on their final icon: they searched for and selected models, created tonal and color sketches, drew the icons on wooden boards, and worked with color and tone. In parallel, when necessary, students traveled to museums to copy and gather the necessary material for their projects, as even a high-quality reproduction does not allow one to see the true color, texture, or certain details of a real icon.

A total of four graduates' works were presented for defense:

• Alexander Tsvetkov's "Royal Doors" (St. Michael the Archangel Church in Bugulma, Republic of Tatarstan); supervisor V.A. Ermilov.
• Anastasia Yurtova's icons of "the Savior" and "the Mother of God" (the Voznesensky Orsha Monastery in the Tver region); supervisor A.V. Zdanovich.
• Ioanna Golotylets' "the Savior" (Yuriev Monastery in Veliky Novgorod); supervisor N.E. Aldoshina.
• Anastasia Mironova's "Royal Doors" (Yuriev Monastery in Veliky Novgorod); supervisor N.E. Aldoshina.

After the students presented their final projects, their supervisors' reviews were read, followed by reviews and opinions from other professors, as well as their advice and recommendations for the graduates' future creative paths. This year, as in last year's defense, A.V. Stalnov — head of the Icon Painting Department at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy — was invited as the deputy chairman of the Certification Commission.

Following the defense of the diplomas, a group photo was taken in keeping with tradition.

MThA Press Office