Fresco-Icons on Façades of Churches in Upper Svaneti (Georgia)

Authors

  • Nino Chichinadze Ilia State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32859/kadmos/6/50-94

Keywords:

Fresco, icons, facade, chancel barrier, epistyle

Abstract

The present article focuses on exterior mural decoration imitating icons, which are placed on the south facades of the Church of the Archangels in Iprari and St. George church in Ipkhi (Upper Svaneti), dating from the 13th century. The iconography of these fresco-icons constituting the Deesis is interpreted as a visual reference to the chancel barrier. The facade murals discussed in the article play a role in the complex relations between individual parts of the Christian church. The templon imagery, intended for those for whom the sanctuary is not accessible, is a liminal marker. I argue that the facade fresco-icons depicting the Deesis function as templon imagery addressing the space in front of them.

 

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How to Cite

Chichinadze, N. (2015). Fresco-Icons on Façades of Churches in Upper Svaneti (Georgia). KADMOS, (6), 50–94. https://doi.org/10.32859/kadmos/6/50-94

Issue

Section

Articles