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4. Shining with Divine Splendour

Aidan Hart discusses transfiguration and how to use paint to create divine light as he works on a new icon.

"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.”

World-renowned iconographer Aidan Hart paints an icon for Advent and explores the meaning and theology of this ancient religious art form.

As he continues to paint an icon he talks about transfiguration and how to use paint to create a divine light.

You can follow his progress in the picture gallery on the programme webpage.

Producer: Phil Pegum

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2018.

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Thu 11 Dec 2025 09:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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3. Holy Perspectives

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5. Halos

See all episodes from The Creation of an Icon

Broadcasts

  • Thu 20 Dec 2018 13:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 6 Dec 2020 14:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 13 Dec 2020 00:15
    BBC Radio 4
  • Thu 11 Dec 2025 09:30
    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