Andrei Rublev (1365-1430) is generally considered to be the greatest medieval Russian painter of Orthodox icons and frescoes of the XV century. The Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church canonized him as a saint in 1988. Andrei Rublev’s work was closely connected to the art and culture of Muscovite Russia and was enriched by the Byzantine art tradition. The worldview of Andrei Rublev was formed in the atmosphere of the national revival of the second half of 14th and the early 15th centuries. Even the medieval perception of the reality was felt in his works; Andrei Rublev reflected a sublime awareness of spiritual beauty and the moral strength of a man. These ideals are embodied in the icons of “Zvenigorod Row” ("Savior", "St. Michael", "Apostle Paul" - turn of the XIV-XV centuries, currently in the Tretyakov Gallery). Strict, smooth contours, broad brushwork and brightness of color are close to the techniques of monumental painting. "The Trinity", Andrey Rublev’s masterpiece (end of the 14th - early 15th century, currently in the Tretyakov Gallery) is an icon filled with deep poetic meaning and philosophy. The harmony of lines and contours of the image with 3 angels in a circle makes a unique, almost musical effect. The basic colour palette is light and pure with particular use of cornflower-blue ("azure"), transparent green and golden colours, contrasting dark cherry clothing of the angel in the centre, which indicates his importance. The perfection of art form of "The Trinity" expresses the highest moral ideal of that time, the harmony of spirit between the world and life. In 1405 he decorated icons and frescoes for the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Moscow Kremlin in company with Theophanes the Greek and Prokhor of Gorodets (the frescoes have not been preserved). Together with Daniil Cherni he painted the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir in 1408 (the painting is partially preserved) and created the icons for its multi-tiered iconostasis (the Tretyakov Gallery, the State Russian Museum). The most significant are the scenes of the "last judgment" depicted in frescoes, which Andrei Rublev interpreted as the triumph of justice and the glory of the human spirit. Rublev and Cherni also collaborated to paint the Trinity Cathedral in the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius between 1425 and 1427(paintings have not been preserved) and created several icons for its iconostasis, for example ‘Apostle Paul’. Some sources consider the painting of the Saviour Cathedral of the Andronikov monastery (circa 1427, some fragments of ornaments are preserved) to be the last work of Andrei Rublev.
Some sources give Rublev credit other works (although there is little or no evidence for this) including: the frescoes of the Assumption Cathedral on the Gorodok in Zvenigorod (end of 14
th – the beginning of 15
th century, fragments are preserved), the icons "Our lady of Vladimir" (about 1409, the Dormition Cathedral, Vladimir), "Saviour in Glory" (1408, the Tretyakov gallery), several of the icons of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin (1399 or 1408), some miniatures of the Khitrovo Gospels (late 14
th - early 15
th century, the V.I. Lenin State Library of the USSR, Moscow). In Rublev's art two traditions are combined: the highest asceticism and the classic harmony of Byzantine mannerism. The characters of his paintings are always peaceful and calm. After some time his art came to be perceived as the ideal of Eastern Church painting and of Orthodox iconography.
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