Semiotics of color in S. N. Durylin’s prose in light of E. Troubetzkoy’s and P. Florensky’s ideas

Abstract

S. N. Durylin’s writing is filled with a wide range of vibrant colors: the text is abundant in colorful descriptions, metaphors, and unique words coined by the author to represent different shades and hues. These color references are consistently used and often serve as symbols for the ethereal and true essence of the world. The use of color symbolism is essential in portraying Holy Rus’, specifically the Russia before the revolution. S. N. Durylin’s ideas on the semiotics of color might have been influenced by the thoughts on color in Russian iconography shared by P. Florensky and E. Troubetzkoy, both of whom he had regular contact with. Durylin not only drew inspiration from his friendship with Troubetzkoy, but also from his own fascination with icons. In his prose, Durylin effectively incorporates the concepts of color put forth by E. Troubetzkoy and P. Florensky in their interpretation of Russian iconography.