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Secondary sourcePaintingearly 15th century (c. 1412)

The Trinity (Rublev icon)

Andrei Rublev · early 15th century (c. 1412)

An early 15th-century Russian icon by Andrei Rublev showing three angels, understood as representing the Holy Trinity including Christ.

One of the three angels in this icon is traditionally understood to represent Jesus Christ as the Son within the Trinity.

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Icon painting of three seated winged figures with golden halos around a table holding a chalice, with a tree and a tower in the background. Gold and earthy tones, aged and worn surface.
Andrei Rublev, The Trinity, c. 1412. Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius.

About this source

What it is

This icon, known as The Trinity or The Hospitality of Abraham, was painted by Andrei Rublev in the early 15th century. It depicts the three angels who visited Abraham in the Book of Genesis, seated around a table with a cup. It is held at the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, having previously been kept at the Tretyakov Gallery.

Why it matters

Scholars read the three angels as representing the Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit, making this one of the most famous visual statements of Christian belief in the Trinity. It is considered the masterpiece of Russian icon painting and reveals how artists used symbolism, rather than literal narrative, to express theology.

  • Why do you think Rublev left out Abraham and Sarah from a story that is usually about them?
  • What might the circular arrangement of the angels be meant to suggest to a viewer?
  • How does the cup on the table connect this scene to later Christian ideas about sacrifice?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Jesus Christ on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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