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The Newly Discovered Icon of the Theotokos "Unfading Bloom": On the History of Iconostases of the Petrine Era
https://doi.org/10.51236/2618-7140-2024-7-4-6-35
Abstract
Unlike the architecture and sculptural decoration of the Znamenskaya Church in Dubrovitsy, the program and artistic characteristics of its iconostasis have been largely overlooked. Of the entire ensemble, only ten icons have survived and been restored, while the others were recreated by contemporary artists based on photographs from the early 20th century. A rare icon of the Virgin Mary “Unfading Bloom,” has been discovered in the church collection, which, by many criteria, corresponds to the local image of the Virgin from the Znamenskaya Church, though it was significantly redone in the late 2010s. This article explores the unique features of this monument in the context of the development of the “Unfading Bloom” iconography in Russia. On the Dubrovitsy icon, the Virgin is depicted as the Queen of Heaven, holding a lily flower, with symbols that emphasize the apocalyptic theme. The article highlights the details of the depiction and technical innovations typical of the craftsmanship of the masters of the Armory Chamber from the late 17th century. In terms of drawing style and artistic techniques, the image aligns with works by K. I. Zolotarev, V. Poznansky, and especially I. P. Refusitsky, who, working on commissions from the royal family and metropolitan nobility, were influenced by Western European art.
About the Authors
Ya. E. Zelenina
State Historical Museum; Sergey Andriyaka Academy of Watercolor and Fine Arts
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Zelenina Yana Ernestovna, Ph. D. in Art History Senior Researcher, Department of Old Russian Painting, State Historical Museum; Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Socio-Economic Disciplines, Sergey Andriyaka Academy of Watercolor and Fine Arts
1 Red Square, Moscow, 109012
15 Akademika Vargi Street, Moscow, 117133
L. P. Tarasenko
State Historical Museum
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Tarasenko Lyudmila Petrovna, Ph. D. in Art History Head of the Department of Old Russian Painting
1 Red Square, Moscow, 109012
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For citations:
Zelenina Ya.E., Tarasenko L.P. The Newly Discovered Icon of the Theotokos "Unfading Bloom": On the History of Iconostases of the Petrine Era. Secreta Artis. 2024;7(4):7-35. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.51236/2618-7140-2024-7-4-6-35
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