« 2020. № 3 (153)

The Ethnology Notebooks. 2020. № 3 (153), 622—636

UDK 7.04:75.02:003.77](477):811.145

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/nz2020.03.622

UKRAINIAN ICONOGRAPHY OF THE HOLY MANDYLION OF CHRIST OF XV—XVI CENTURIES: ART FEATURES AND SEMANTICS

SKOP Mykhailo

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5901-8211

Postgraduate student,

the Lviv National Academy of Arts,

38, Kubiiovycha Street, 79011, Lviv, Ukraine,

Contacts: e-mail: neivanmade@gmail.com

Abstract. The Holy Mandylion is one of the scenes that are included in the Ukrainian iconostases and ecclesiastical polychromies of the XV—XVI centuries. The iconography of the Holy Face influenced not only the composition but also the placement of the icon in the temple. In the Ukrainian tradition, the Holy Mandylion was based above the royal gates in the iconostasis. As a result, the Ukrainian Mandylion have a characteristic elongated shape. This feature led to the appropriate placement of elements of iconography. In particular, the elongated form of the towel. But the preserved monuments testify to the occasions of placing the Holy Face not above the royal, but above the deacon’s door. And also, about the possibility of duplication of the plot in one row. Due to the interconnection of the local interpretation of iconography with the artistic manner of the artists, considerable attention was drawn to the artistic features of the Mandylions. So considered a number of icons from 15th century from Lemkivshchyna, which have common features that allow one to speak about the belonging of the works to one artistic center, and also, in the case of two works, one author. On the example of these icons, the assumption is made about the possible reasons for the rare selection of archangels holding a tablecloth.

Assumptions are made about their origin. A question was raised about reading an inscription on icon from Zarudtsy, which had not been sufficiently researched before. During the comparison of the icon with similar specimens of Greek sacred art of the XV—XVI centuries, the inscription was identified as an imitation of the Greek minuscule. Six words have been assumed. The origin of the inscription has been suggested. A comparison is made with two other icons of the 16th century. Common features have been identified that indicate their stylistic relationship. The semiotics of the icon from Ustianiv-Gorishna, which attributed to the master Alexei Goroshkovich, was analyzed. Original compositional and decorative solutions that not found on other stored icons of this period have been identified. The decoration, attributes and decor of the archangels are discussed in detail. The possible reasons for the absence of rods in their hands were mentioned. The decorative element on the red dress, which was very popular in the Ukrainian icon painting of the 15th—16th centuries, was identified as a Chintamani sacred sign.

Keywords: iconography, semilogy, Oleksy Horoshkovish, Mandylion, Holy Face, Chintamany, Greek minuscule.

Received 4.05.2020

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