The Rich Classicism of Fr. Ilie Bobaianu

By Jonathan Pageau on February 16, 2016

11059659_489692037851834_2197638759897843191_n

Last year we posted an article about young Romanian iconographers creating traditional icons looking partially to modern art for elements to include in their work.   With the spiritual renewal of Romania, there are also some wonderful iconographers exploring the rich strain of classicism in Byzantine icons. Fr. Ilie Bobaianu (Dantes) is a monk and iconographer who’s work shines particularly brightly for its deep understanding of classical form in line and color.  Using strong contrapposto, rich and complex drapery as well as elegant hand gestures, his work pulls in influences like Panselinos, the best of the Paleologian and Cretan schools together in a beautiful traditional synthesis.

11206126_539821276172243_6044442453970227380_n

Fr. Ilie at work

 

10704318_462081853946186_8302434255821105123_o

His icons feel timeless in many ways as they embody so much of what the best ancient icons have to offer.  But with a few seconds of looking, one often does a double take, as the first impression of seeing an ancient icon is replaced by subtle signs of something else.  His refinement in poses, the complex use of light on vestments and the bold use of calligraphic brush strokes remind the viewer that this is not simply a copy of an ancient icon.

10857324_465905493563822_5540107565875773134_o

 

819195_136902216477858_447107651_o

Fr. Ilie, at this point known as Dantes, started to attend the Romanian Academy in 1995, a few years after the Romanian revolution.  With other students he made trips to different monasteries, at first just for fun, but at some point his life began to change.  He eventually met his confessor, the late Elder Teofil Paraianur who guided him in his spiritual quest and recommended that Dantes finish his art studies before becoming a monk.  Fr. Ilie was also fortunate to have an art professor of deep religious conviction at the academy who encouraged his desire to develop icon painting.

Fr. Ilie’s icons reflect his deep love of God which manifests itself in his intense life of prayer and fasting, which according to someone who knew him at the academy, started even while he was learning to paint icons in school.  One can perceive how this dedication coupled with such a keen internal understanding of the icon give way to such powerful faces. Characterized by profound calm, penetrating eyes and with often the most subtle of smiles, the faces in fr. Ilie’s icons exemplify the best of how holy images can bring us into a relationship with the person depicted.

Fr. Ilie’s work can be followed on this facebook page which includes videos as well:
https://www.facebook.com/stefan.ionut.7330/

 

1978669_464059747081730_6969301059977172300_n

857112_136902256477854_165062428_o

1549406_462084157279289_2727637719451949980_n 1520627_462081977279507_2843285225487873483_n 13096_473774569443581_825806413553356106_n 11880544_553624461458591_5262949953257541092_n 11870701_550442881776749_353268489650800114_n 11800122_542541259233578_1303185285474781917_n 11732021_538194776334893_5036093931752466022_o 11403092_537839519703752_4397195071691101693_n
11182224_503692446451793_7971926069735845876_n 11182112_504775666343471_1006671397500581788_n 11152716_499198880234483_1796484885222307915_n 11134020_497876720366699_2632896950639686990_o

11079628_491754347645603_5819292328066630679_n 11081485_491754397645598_1534455703776411518_n

10354892_495758423911862_8027907850020574049_n

11046452_495758520578519_5702252715401504741_n 11078175_495758590578512_2438010372646041766_n 11078112_495758543911850_2443202161260476477_n
10942507_463377400483298_8389132425972011715_n 10928872_464059593748412_1518997816948925548_o 10857167_464059677081737_794193267551787965_o
10273195_462081090612929_6119103429454455856_o

 

5 Comments

  1. Rhonda Dodson on February 16, 2016 at 7:45 am

    Beautiful work! Very traditional & yet the unique creativity of the iconographer is very evident.



  2. colette kalvesmaki on February 16, 2016 at 8:16 am

    This work is significant for today. He is truly Byzantine-he employs the light to dark and the hatching, the proper measurements, and yet you can see the classical elements in the draping of the clothing and you can see the modern psychology in the face. Very interesting. I would love to talk with him about this. Any way to contact him?



    • Jonathan Pageau on February 16, 2016 at 8:32 am

      I think you have captured perfectly what is so fascinating about his work. As for contacting him, it is a bit difficult. This article was supposed to be an interview, but I was going through intermediaries and fr. Ilie was difficult to reach. Hopefully an interview will be coming at some point.



      • colette kalvesmaki on February 16, 2016 at 8:34 am

        Ah-I see. I look forward to the interview. I hope you can keep sending his work.



  3. Nancy ayers on February 17, 2016 at 5:11 pm

    This beautiful art is deeply touching, drawing me closer to the love of God. Thank you for sharing these icons.



Our Sponsors