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1. Doors Between Two Worlds

4 Extra Debut. World-renowned iconographer Aidan Hart paints an icon of the angel Gabriel revealing to Mary that she will give birth to Jesus.

"We are glorified door makers”, says Aidan Hart, a professional iconographer, “because we create a door between the world and heaven.”

“I feel like a composer and poet but working in colour and form rather than notes and words.”

Aidan Hart, a former Greek Orthodox monk, has painted icons for over 30 years. He lifts the veil on this powerful and compelling art form.

Aiden paints an icon of the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel revealed to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus, the son of God. Whilst he paints he talks about the process, the symbolism and the ideas behind icon painting.

You can follow Aiden’s progress via the picture gallery on the programme web page.

Producer: Phil Pegum.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Mon 8 Dec 202509:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

More episodes

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2. Symbolism of Paint

See all episodes from The Creation of an Icon

Broadcasts

  • Mon 17 Dec 201813:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 15 Nov 202014:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 22 Nov 202000:15
    BBC Radio 4
  • Mon 8 Dec 202509:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

How to create an Icon

How to create an Icon

Former Greek Orthodox monk Aidan Hart on his work painting physical and invisible realms.

Gallery