The Sacred Code in Contemporary Ukrainian Fine Arta

Sacred art significantly influences the modern process of spiritual development of humanity, forming its worldview, as well as its moral and aesthetic consciousness. This art is not only a powerful instrument for strengthening the religious faith but also for establishing the social stance of an individual in general, its spiritual guidelines and values. After a complex analysis of the works by contemporary Ukrainian art and cultural researchers, the paper offers an analytical view of the historical influence of sacred art on the development of Ukrainian fine art, and its role in the modern spiritual development of society, both in religious and secular aspects. The special focus is put on the artistic and stylistic differences of sacred art in its canonic and non-canonic icons. Emergence and development of Kyiv and Lviv art schools of sacred art in modern-day Ukraine were analyzed, in addition to the role of tradition in this process. The main features of development of contemporary Ukrainian icon by the leading Ukrainian icon painters were determined. The key trends of the influence of sacred art on the progress of contemporary Ukrainian icon painting were listed. The main functions of the sacred code in contemporary fine art that play a significant part in shaping the national consciousness and identity of Ukrainians were discovered.