The New Testament Images in the works of Sergei Timofeevich Kon’enkov

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the creative heritage of the sculptor S. T. Konenkov. Despite the fact that many of his sculptures and graphic works became the subject of scientific analysis and research, some areas of his artistic search have remained unexplored. First of all it concerns Konenkov's reflections on the New Testament subjects, as well as the creation of the image of Jesus Christ in graphics and sculpture. The spiritual life of his native village Verkhniye Karakovichi was closely connected to Optina Hermitage, and the memory of discussions with the Optina elders had a strong influence on the formation of the artist's personality and his further work. In 1923, on behalf of the government, S. T. Konenkov, left for America as part of a delegation which organized an exhibition of Soviet artists and sculptors. There he stayed for more than 20 years. That period of his life and work is poorly studied, but it was the time when the first sculptural works depicting Jesus Christ appeared.