Theology of the image and the incarnation dogma in the iconography of Jesus Christ

The article is devoted to the study of the theology of the Image by case study of the iconography of Jesus Christ, first and foremost, Image of Edessa. The paper shows the close relationship between the patristic tradition and the Christian aesthetics. The author distinguishes three periods in the formation of the Image of Jesus Christ: pre-iconoclastic, iconoclastic and post-iconoclastic. Based on works by famous art critics the author shows the influence of the Christological dogma formation on the Christ iconography development. The article also reveals the Image symbolism. It indicates the difference between the Eastern and Western Christian traditions in the Image of Edessa. The article considers other common iconographic types: Saviour Emmanuel, King of Kings, Christ Pantocrator and others.