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2024 #6 Derevska O.

« 2024. # 6 (180)

\The Ethnology Notebooks. 2024. № 6 (180), 1441—1449

UDK 76.071.1(477)«16/17»Зубрицький + [7.046.3:27-175.3](477)

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/nz2024.06.1441

THE LAST JUDGEMENT ICONOGRAPHY AS INTERPRETED BY NIKODEM ZUBRZYCKI

DEREVSKA Olena

  • ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7057-6051
  • PhD Student at the Department of Theory and History of Art
  • National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture,
  • 20, Voznesensky uzviz, 04053, Kyiv, Ukraine,
  • Contacts: e-mail: olena.derevska@naoma.edu.ua

Abstract. Introduction. Art historians have paid a lot of attention to the historical development of the Last Judgment plot, particularly in Ukrainian art.

Problem Statement. However, the approach to the topic is to some extent conservative: the attention of researchers has mainly been focused on the Western Ukrainian icons of the 15th—17th centuries. The interpretation of the iconography of the plot presented by a prominent Ukrainian artist Nikodem Zubrzycki (late 17th — early 18th centuries) is left behind most scholars’ attention.

The purpose of the article is to apply and add to the concept of the development of the Last Judgment iconography, formulated by V. Ovsiychuk and D. Krvavych, while analyzing the interpretation of this plot in the work of Nikodem Zubrzycki. The tasks of the article are to determine the main elements of such iconography, to analyze their historical and chronological development, to show the continuity of the main Last Judgement iconographical elements over time, to show the novelty and significance of the interpretation of the Last Judgment plot by N. Zubrzycki.

The research methods included dialectic interdisciplinary approach, iconography and formal stylistics analysis.

Results. The historical development of the Last Judgement plot was analyzed, the ideas of V. Ovsiychuk and D. Krvavych concept were added to. The most significant elements of the plot were shown in their continuity. The images of the Last Judgement created by Nikodem Zubrzycki were pointed to, described and analyzed.

Conclusion. The main elements of the iconography of the Last Judgment should be considered the figure of Christ on the throne with his hand (or both hands) raised; the book or a scroll (Good News, Gospel), and the idea of ​​Judgement visualized through the theme of «separating the sheep from the goats». The Last Judgment scenes are always accompanied by the saints and various heavenly forces. Demons in their variety are not a mandatory element. In early Christian, as well in post-Reformation iconography, the depiction of the plot is based on the theological meaning of the Last Judgment stated in general in the text of the Revelation and other books of the Bible.

Keywords: iconography, Last Judgment, elements of iconography, image, Ukrainian art, Nikodem Zubrzycki, woodcut.

Received 20.11.2024

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