This is the first important study that draws attention to the importance of the visual theme in Russian religious philosophy and its contemporary significance. In doing so, the author makes a highly original contribution to the field. - Rudolf Prokschi, Professor Emeritus, Department of Historical Theology, University of Vienna, Austria
This book is not just of interest to the relatively small circle of experts in Russian religious philosophy, but deserves a much wider readership. The monograph is well researched, lucid, and very accessible, but without oversimplifying the complexity of the material. Antonova convincingly argues that the intermediation between Christian theology, philosophy, and aesthetics, characteristic of Florensky's writings, was a response to the crisis of modernity and an attempt to evade the erosion of Christian metaphysics. Florensky's daring and creative engagement with Byzantine theology, Cubism, Non-Euclidean geometry, and set theory was motivated by the need for a consistently Christian vision of the world. - Christoph Schneider, Academic Director, Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge, UK
Florensky's religious philosophy has great relevance for understanding pictorial art. In particular, his theory of the icon comprehends the spectator-image relation in a way that challenges familiar Western notions of pictorial representation. Clemena Antonova's fine book throws much light on these issues, and presents Florensky's ideas in a sparkling way that illuminates their relevance for many other aspects of religious thought in the contemporary world. - Paul Crowther, Professor Emeritus in Philosophy, National University of Ireland, Galway, and member of the Royal Irish Academy
In this important book, Antonova offers a comprehensive analysis of what one may call the new theology of visuality of Pavel Florensky, which has influenced thinkers in Russia and beyond. - Alexei Lidov, Professor at Moscow State University, Russia, member of the Russian Academy of Arts, and member of St. Catherine's College, Oxford, UK
'This is the first important study that draws attention to the importance of the visual theme in Russian religious philosophy and its contemporary significance. In doing so, the author makes a highly original contribution to the field.' - Rudolf Prokschi, Professor Emeritus, Department of Historical Theology, University of Vienna, Austria
'This book is not just of interest to the relatively small circle of experts in Russian religious philosophy, but deserves a much wider readership. The monograph is well researched, lucid, and very accessible, but without oversimplifying the complexity of the material. Antonova convincingly argues that the intermediation between Christian theology, philosophy, and aesthetics, characteristic of Florensky's writings, was a response to the crisis of modernity and an attempt to evade the erosion of Christian metaphysics. Florensky's daring and creative engagement with Byzantine theology, Cubism, Non-Euclidean geometry, and set theory was motivated by the need for a consistently Christian vision of the world.' - Christoph Schneider, Academic Director, Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge, UK
'Florensky's religious philosophy has great relevance for understanding pictorial art. In particular, his theory of the icon comprehends the spectator-image relation in a way that challenges familiar Western notions of pictorial representation. Clemena Antonova's fine book throws much light on these issues, and presents Florensky's ideas in a sparkling way that illuminates their relevance for many other aspects of religious thought in the contemporary world.' - Paul Crowther, Professor Emeritus in Philosophy, National University of Ireland, Galway, and member of the Royal Irish Academy
'In this important book, Antonova offers a comprehensive analysis of what one may call the new theology of visuality of Pavel Florensky, which has influenced thinkers in Russia and beyond.' - Alexei Lidov, Professor at Moscow State University, Russia, member of the Russian Academy of Arts, and member of St. Catherine's College, Oxford, UK
