Rich sculpture decorations of Armenian medieval churches include diverse images of birds. The tradition of depicting images of birds on the exterior decoration of churches originated in the early Christian period, but developed significantly in the Middle Ages, expanding iconographic programmes through the elaborating new motifs and scenes. In parallel, the range of the depicted…
From the exegetic point of view the story from the Gospel of John (John 2:1-12) has quite a broad and complex message. The iconography of the miniatures that represent the Wedding at Cana scene has undergone some changes in Armenian medieval art. These changes should be discussed within the context of the period in question….
This presentation examines the role of carved gems—classical artifacts esteemed for their symbolic resonance and aesthetic refinement—within the iconographic program of Cilician Armenian manuscript illumination. Among Armenian medieval codices, the Cilician manuscripts of the 13th and 14th centuries are particularly distinguished by their originality, intricate ornamentation, and distinctive artistic style. The illuminations adorning frontispieces and…
From the 9th to the 18th centuries, the primary decoration of Georgian painted sanctuary barriers consisted of individual figures of saints and biblical scenes. Interestingly, within this diverse array of images (including warriors, martyrs, prophets, and etc.) there appears to be comparatively little emphasis on the theme of Deesis, which is a central motif in…