Zakharova, Anna V. Development of Byzantine Church Iconographic Programme: A Perspective from the Borderlands

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://dx.doi.org/10.18688/aa199-2-24
Title Development of Byzantine Church Iconographic Programme: A Perspective from the Borderlands
Author email zakharova@inbox.ru
About author Zakharova, Anna Vladimirovna — Ph. D., head lecturer. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1, 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation.
In the section Byzantine and Eastern Christian Art DOI10.18688/aa199-2-24
Year 2019 Volume 9 Pages 262–274
Type of article RAR Index UDK 7.033.2; 7.033.12 Index BBK 85.14
Abstract

The paper summarizes the data resulting from the study of wall paintings in the cave churches of Cappadocia from the second half of the 9th to the early 11th century in order to reconstruct the process of shaping the classical system of Byzantine church decoration. The author singles out some Cappadocian ensembles showing Metropolitan influence: the churches Kılıçlar, El Nazar, New Tokalı in Göreme, Ala and Direkli in Belisirma, Kubelli and St. Barbara in Soğanlı, Tağar near Ürgüp and others. In the decoration of the domes, the apses, the vaults and the walls, we analyze those iconographic solutions that are different from the old schemes traditional for this region. In this respect, some cave churches imitating the Constantinopolitan cross-in-square churches are more indicative, although in some cases simpler structures also show the influence of Metropolitan iconography. Without going into details in the iconography of single subjects, we try to reveal the principles of shaping of these programs, in comparison with the fragments and descriptions of coeval ensembles in Constantinople and the Balkans.

This comparative analysis allows us to get a more precise and detailed understanding of the formative process of Byzantine church decoration during the two centuries after Iconoclasm. Our research shows that this was a multistage process influenced by many different factors. The impulses from Constantinople were gradually assimilated and modified in the art of the Byzantine provinces, yet their artistic development went in the same direction as in the capital.
Keywords
Reference Zakharova, Anna V. Development of Byzantine Church Iconographic Programme: A Perspective from the Borderlands. Actual Problems of Theory and History of Art: Collection of articles. Vol. 9. Ed: A. V. Zakharova, S. V. Maltseva, E. Iu. Staniukovich-Denisova. — Lomonosov Moscow State University / St. Petersburg: NP-Print, 2019, pp. 262–274. ISSN 2312-2129. http://dx.doi.org/10.18688/aa199-2-24
Publication Article language russian
Bibliography
  • Antonopoulou Th. (ed.). Leonis VI Sapientis Imperatoris Byzantini homiliae. Turnhout, Brepols, 2008. 689 p. (in Greek).
  • Brubaker L. Vision and Meaning in Ninth Century Byzantium. Image as Exegesis in the Homilies of Gregory of Nazianzus. Cambridge; New York, Cambridge University Press Publ., 1999. 489 p.
  • Cave J. The Byzantine Wall Paintings of Kılıçlar kilise: Aspects of Monumental Decoration in Cappadocia, Ph. D. Thesis. The Pennsylvania State University, 1984 (unpublished). 369 p.
  • Connor C. L. Saints and Spectacle: Byzantine Mosaics in Their Cultural Settings. New York, Oxford University Press Publ., 2016. 212 p.
  • Cormack R. Byzantine Cappadocia: The Archaic Group of Wall-Paintings. Journal of the Archaeological Association, 3rd series, 1967, vol. 30, pp. 19–36.
  • Cormack R. The Mother of God in Apse Mosaics. Vassilaki M. (ed.). Mother of God. Representations of the Virgin in Byzantine Art. Milano, Skira Publ., 2000, pp. 91–105.
  • Cormack R. The Mother of God in the Mosaics of Hagia Sophia at Constantinople. Vassilaki M. (ed.). Mother of God. Representations of the Virgin in Byzantine Art. Milano, Skira Publ., 2000, pp. 107–123.
  • De Jerphanion G. Une nouvelle province de l’art byzantin. Les églises rupestres de Cappadoce. Paris, Librairie orientaliste Paul Geuthner, vol. 1, 1925. 615 p.; vol. 2, 1936. 538 p. (in French).
  • Demus O. Byzantine Mosaic Decoration. Aspects of Monumental Art in Byzantium. London, Paul, Trench, Trubner Publ., 1948. 97 p.
  • Der Nersessian S. Le décor des églises du IX siècle. Actes du VIe Congrès international d’Études byzantines. Paris, 1948. Paris, École des Hauts Études, 1951, vol. 2, pp. 315–320 (in French).
  • Epstein A. Rock-Cut Chapels in Göreme Valley, Cappadocia: the Yılanlı Group and the Column Churches. Cahiers archéologiques, 1975, vol. 24, pp. 115–135.
  • Frolow A. Deux églises byzantines d’après des sermons peu connus de Léon VI le Sage. Revue des études byzantines, 1945, vol. 3, pp. 43–91 (in French).
  • Giordani E. Das mittelbyzantinische Ausschmückungssystem als Ausdruck eines hieratischen Bildprogramms. Jahrbuch der österreichischen byzantinischen Gesellschaft, 1951, vol. 1, pp. 103–134 (in German).
  • James L. (ed.). Constantine of Rhodes. On Constantinople and on the Church of the Holy Apostles. Farnham, Ashgate Publ., 2012. 250 p. (in Greek and English).
  • Jenkins R.; Mango C. The Date and Significance of the Tenth Homily of Photius. Dumbarton Oaks Papers, 1956, vol. 9, pp. 123–140.
  • Jolivet-Lévy C. Les églises byzantines de Cappadoce. Le programme iconographique de l’abside et de ses abords. Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Publ., 1991. 391 p. (in French).
  • Jolivet-Lévy C. La Cappadoce Médiévale. Images et Spiritualité. Paris, Zodiaque Publ., 2001. 400 p. (in French).
  • Kadiroğlu M.; Işler B. Gürcü sanatının ortaçağı. Ankara, Bilgin Kültür Sanat Publ., 2010. 263 p. (in Turkish).
  • Lafontaine-Dosogne J. Théophanie-Visions auxquelles participent les prophètes dans l’art byzantin après la restauration des images. Synthronon. Art et archéologie de la fin de l’Antiquité et du Moyen Age. Recueil d’études par André Grabar et un groupe de ses disciples. Paris, C. Klincksieck Publ., 1968, pp. 134–143 (in French).
  • Lafontaine-Dosogne J. L’église rupestre dite Eski Baca kilisesi et la place de la Vierge dans les absides cappadociennes. Jahrbuch der Österreichischen Byzantinistik, 1972, vol. 21, pp. 163–178 (in French).
  • Laourdas B. (ed.). Fotiou omiliai. Thessaloniki, Etaireia makedonikon spoudon Publ., 1959. 297 p. (in Greek).
  • Mango C. Materials for the Study of the Mosaics of St. Sophia at Istanbul. Washington, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection Publ., 1962. 145 p.
  • Mango C.; Hawkins E. J. W. The Apse Mosaics of St. Sophia at Istanbul. Report on Work Carried out in 1964. Dumbarton Oaks Papers, 1965, vol. 19, pp. 115–151.
  • Mango C. The Art of the Byzantine Empire, 312–1453. Sources and Documents. Englewood Cliffs, Prentice-Hall Publ., 1972. 272 p.
  • Panayotidi M. L’église rupestre de la Nativité dans l’île de Naxos. Ses peintures primitives. Cahiers archéologiques, 1974, vol. 23, pp. 107–120 (in French).
  • Paton W. R. (transl.). The Greek Anthology, vol. 1. London, William Heinemann Publ., 1916. 530 p. (in Greek and English).
  • Restle M. Die byzantinische Wandmalerei in Kleinasien. Recklinghausen, Verlag Aurel Bongers Publ., 1967, vol. 1, 242 p.; vol. 2, 20 p., 301 pls.; vol. 3, 17 p., 554 pls. (in German).
  • Rodley L. The Pigeon House Church, Çavuşin. Jahrbuch der Österreichischen Byzantinistik, 1983, vol. 33, pp. 301–339.
  • Rodley L. Cave Monasteries of Byzanine Cappadocia. Cambridge; New York, Cambridge University Press Publ., 1985. 266 p.
  • Thierry N. A propos de l’Ascension d’Ayvalı kilise et de celle de Sainte-Sophie de Salonique. Cahiers archéologiques, 1965, vol. 15, pp. 145–154 (in French).
  • Thierry N. Peintures paléochrétiennes en Cappadoce. L’église № 1 de Balkan Dere. Synthronon. Art et archéologie de la fin de l’Antiquité et du Moyen Age. Recueil d’études par André Grabar et un groupe de ses disciples. Paris, C. Klincksieck Publ., 1968, pp. 53–59 (in French).
  • Thierry N. A propos de peintures d’Ayvalı köy (Cappadoce). Les programmes absideaux à trois registres avec Déisis en Cappadoce et en Géorgie. Zograf, 1974, vol. 5, pp. 5–22 (in French).
  • Thierry N. La Vierge de tendresse à l’époque macédonienne. Zograf, 1979, vol. 10, pp. 59–70 (in French).
  • Thierry N. Haut Moyen-Age en Cappadoce. Les églises de la région de Çavuşin, vol. 1. Paris, Librairie orientaliste Paul Geuthner Publ., 1983. 200 p. (in French).
  • Thierry N. Un portrait de Jean Tzimiskès en Cappadoce. Travaux et Mémoires, 1985, vol. 9, pp. 477–484 (in French).
  • Thierry N. La peinture de Cappadoce au Xe siècle. Recherches sur les commanditaires de la Nouvelle Eglise de Tokali et autres monuments. Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus and His Age. Second International Byzantine Conference. Delphi, 22–26 July 1987. Athens, European Cultural Center of Delphi Publ., 1989, pp. 217–233 (in French).
  • Thierry N. De la datation des églises de Cappadoce. Byzantinische Zeitschrift, 1995, vol. 88, pp. 419–455 (in French).
  • Thierry N. La Cappadoce de l’Antiquité au Moyen Âge. Turnhout, Brepols Publ., 2002. 316 p. (in French).
  • Thierry N. et M. Nouvelles églises rupestres de Cappadoce. Région du Hasan dağı. Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Publ., 1963. 248 p. (in French).
  • Walter C. Art and Ritual of the Byzantine Church. London, Variorum publications Publ., 1982. 279 p.
  • Wharton A. Art of Empire: Painting and Architecture of the Byzantine Periphery. A Comparative Study of Four Provinces. University Park PA, London, Pennsylvania State University Press Publ., 1988. 250 p.
  • Wharton Epstein A. Tokali kilise. Tenth-Century Metropolitan Art in Byzantine Cappadocia. Washington, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection Publ., 1986. 90 p.
  • Woodfin W. T. A Majestas Domini in Middle Byzantine Constantinople. Cahiers archéologiques. 2003–2004, vol. 51, pp. 45–53.
  • Xenaki M. Recherches sur les églises byzantines de Cappadoce et leur décor peint (VIe–IXe siècles), Thèse de doctorat de l’Université Paris I. Lille, 2012.
  • Zakharova A. Principles of Grouping the Images of Saints in Byzantine Monumental Painting before and after Iconoclasm. Actual Problems of Theory and History of Art: Collection of Articles, vol. 4. St. Petersburg, NP-Print Publ., 2014, pp. 109–122 (in Russian).
  • Zakharova A. The Choir of Saints in the Middle Byzantine Monumental Decoration: The Evidence of the 9th–11th Century Wall-Paintings in Cappadocia. Collection of Articles in Honor of Academician Panayotis L. Vokotopoulos. Athens, Kapon editions Publ., 2015, pp. 341–346.
  • Zakharova A. Wall Paintings of the Second Half of the 10th — Early 11th Century in Cappadocia. Vizantiiskii Vremennik (Byzantina xronika), 2015, vol. 74, pp. 196–210 (in Russian).