The Representations of the Iconic Art in the Drawings of Contemporary Iraqi Artists

The research (Representations of Iconic Art in the Paintings of Contemporary Iraqi Artists) addresses the icon, which is primarily a religious work whose aesthetics align with the goals and objectives of Christianity. Therefore, the icon is characterized by its departure from materialism to express spirituality. The overall composition of the icon consists of a collection of religious figures, symbols, and writings that depict a religious story or a subject from the Bible, conveying it to the public in a simple language that every worshiper can understand. Iconic art has captivated many contemporary Iraqi artists, including artists from the beloved city of Mosul, where the artistic and creative representation of the icon is evident in their artworks. The research is structured into four chapters. Chapter One presents the methodological framework, addressing the research problem, its significance, and the necessity for the study. It seeks to answer the question of how the icon is represented in the paintings of contemporary Iraqi artists, highlighting the historical, intellectual, and creative importance of these representations. The research focuses on the period from 1950 to 2018 in Iraq. Chapter Two delves into the theoretical framework, with one section discussing the emergence and development of iconic art (covering Byzantine and Coptic art) and another section focusing on the pioneers of iconic art during the Renaissance. Chapter Three outlines the research procedures, describing a community of 14 visual artists who incorporate iconic painting in their works across various Iraqi provinces. Two purposive samples of artworks were selected to cover most of the period. Finally, Chapter Four presents the research results, conclusions, and recommendations.