Christological сycle in Monreale сathedral Mosaics. 1180s
https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2019-10-64-76
Abstract
In Monreale Cathedral the Christological Cycle is located on the walls of the transept. It consists of 45 scenes arranged in three groups (15 in each group), according to the stages of Christ’s life, which are situated in the three distinct parts of the transept.
The Cycle in Monreale Cathedral is one of the most extensive in Byzantine and western monumental art of the eleventh and twelfth centuries. In most of the scenes the iconography is based on traditional patterns of Byzantine art, but in some scenes there are details close to the traditions of western art. The cycle also includes scenes elsewhere confined to Romanesque monumental painting and not known in Byzantine murals as three scenes related to the Appearance of Christ to the Apostles on the road to Emmaus. The artistic performance of the gospel scenes in the transept of Montreal follows the mainstream of the Byzantine art of the second half of the 12th century. However, in the scenes of the cycle, one can observe a depiction more definite than was usual in Byzantium, and a more specific one of emotion in the faces and gestures of the characters. The author associates these qualities with the influence of Romanesque art.
About the Author
L. M. EvseevaRussian Federation
Liliia M. Evseeva, Cand. of Sci. (Art History)
bld. 10, Andron’evskaia Square, Moscow, 107120, Russia
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Review
For citations:
Evseeva L.M. Christological сycle in Monreale сathedral Mosaics. 1180s. RSUH/RGGU Bulletin: “Literary Teory. Linguistics. Cultural Studies”, Series. 2019;(10):64-76. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2686-7249-2019-10-64-76