Religious Art

            Historically, Russian Orthodox religious painting portrays scenes and figures in an other-world reality that transcends the natural world into the mystical, the eternal. Religious scenes and figures were distorted to show the separation of man and his world from the Kingdom of God.

            Considering Glocar’s struggles and ultimate break from the strict rigidity of church doctrine, he painted icons and religious scenes in a more human form, more natural form, more compassionate form.

            One of his favorite scenes that he painted many times is of the Nativity, where a throng gather before the Birth of Christ. A few of these worshippers look out of the picture toward the viewer as an invitation to become part of the celebration.

            Glocar also copied religious scenes of the Pre-Italian Renaissance artists including the Florentine Giotto’s ‘Lamentation of Christ’. In his painting Glocar elongates the arm of Christ held by a mourner as if to symbolize Christ’s everlasting connection to mankind.

            Today Glocar’s paintings both secular and religious adorn the walls of many homes and churches throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. He left a legacy of over 3000 paintings for all people to enjoy the beauty and wonder of the world we live in.