In the Course features of an icon as a visual religious symbol with appointed role in visual entourage of Orthodox religious mystery, distinction between icon painting symbol and religious painting, the history of origin and formation of icon-painting as special genre in fine arts, specificity and evolution of icon painting techniques, and chiefly the history of evolution of icon-painting styles and schools in their national-territorial and temporal aspects are considered. All important national, local-territorial and temporal features of icon painting in area of Orthodox predominant in VIth - XXth c.c. (Byzantium, Russia, Ukraine, Byelorussia, Bulgaria) are covered. The Course is illustrated by more than 800 colour slides with the most typical and expressive examples of styles and schools.

The Course was composed by expert on icons and icon-painting of Department for Protection of Cultural Values in Culture Ministry of Lithuanian Republics on the base of his of many years experience in icon examination, generalization of extensive published information, and also on a base of his natural contacts with icon restorers and living expression from expositions in museums, interiors of churches and icons in houses of believers.

The Course designed for lecturing in Vilnius Fine Arts Academy, and was lectured by author in Russian with customary success for a number of years.

Partition of the Course on parts on separate styles, schools, epochs, and plots is possible. It is possible to lecture the Course with synchronous interpretation from Russian just because its essence is accumulated in its visual row. Also it is possible to compose an adapted option of the Course for primary acquaintance with the subject.

Dr. Alexander Tolchan