On Western Ukrainian Iconographic Practice

Standard works on the theology of icons and histories of Byzantine art usually present us with well-known and prominent examples of Byzantine iconography. Often overlooked, however, are the many and various traditions of iconography that have flourished in small and distant regions. These little-known local iconographic traditions, however, have great value. The aim of this paper is to present reflections on the importance of local iconography in the life of faith of Eastern Christian communities by drawing attention to the unique iconographic tradition developed in Western Ukraine. Emphasis is given to the development of local iconographic traditions, the use of icons in communal and private religious practice, and the challenges encountered by contemporary efforts to revive local iconography.