“ In accordance with the cult of the emperor, ” explains John Taylor in his book Icon Painting, “people worshipped his portrait painted on canvas and wood, and from thence to the veneration of icons was a small step. ”
John Taylor selgitab oma raamatus Icon Painting: „Seoses keisri kultusega kummardasid inimesed lõuendile ja puidule maalitud keisri portreesid, ning sellest oli ikoonide harda austamiseni lühike samm. ”