Hieromonk Prokhor (Andreichuk I.)

Iconography of the preserved altar mural of the Annunciation church (16th century) of Pskovo-Pechersky monastery

Abstract

This article studies the newly revealed monument of medieval monumental painting, namely the murals of the Annunciation Church (16th century) of the Holy Dormition Pskovo-Pechersky monastery. The author of the article introduces new data revealed during the restoration process. The article presents the results obtained in the course of the author’s independent work on the study of the preserved murals. It identifi es the technique of the painting as well as the degree of preservation of the paint layer. The author focuses on the harmonious unity of the decoration of the church and its architecture, establishes the time of painting the frescoes and tentatively identifi es the circle of persons involved in their creation. Special attention is paid to the study and analysis of compositions preserved in the altar part of the church, their iconographic peculiarities being revealed as well. The author primarily employs descriptive and iconographic methods of research; theological method is used in describing the dogmatic and symbolic programme of the mural. The author comes to the conclusion that the complex of plots seen in the altar part of the church generally follows the established traditional system of decoration and is designed to disclose the theme of God’s incarnation and the ideas of liturgical sacrifi ce. Finally, the author points to the necessity of an integrated approach towards a deeper study and comprehension of the general decorative system of the church, which would make possible to trace and identify a certain relationship between the frescoes of the Annunciation Church and preserved monumental art complexes of the mid-16th century.

Keywords

altar mural, archangels, Annunciation Church, dogmatic programme, Old Russian frescoes, Eucharist, iconography, wall-painting, Communion of the Apostles, Pskovo- Pechersky monastery, Pskov architectural tradition, restoration, Holy Trinity

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Information about the author

Hieromonk Prokhor (Andreichuk I.)

Place of work: Pskov State University; 2 Lenina Sq., Pskov 180000, Russian Federation;
Post: Senior lecturer;
ORCID: 0000-0001-5477-5782;
Email: id.prohor@mail.ru.