The Art of the Icon by Nigel Cawthorne

The traditional religious icons of Eastern Europe are more than symbols of faith and objects of worship. They rank among some of Europe’s great pictorial images, a highly stylised from that was perpetuated for generations, dating back to the earliest days of formalised Christianity. With stunning illustrations, this book evokes the visual impact of its sacred subject matter. It touches on the techniques of icon painting and covers all periods, including the early Christian Church, the Byzantine tradition, the Macedonian Renaissance, and the major and minor Russian schools from Kiev to Moscow.

Nigel Cawthorne is a journalist turned book writer and specialises in history and crime stories, several of which have become bestsellers. His recent biography of Nikola Tesla has sold more than 200,000 copies. He has appeared on The Joan Rivers Show and in front of a Senate Select Committee.