The medieval wall painting in the church of 
Saint Archangel Michael in the town of Rila, Southwest Bulgaria Cover Image
  • Price 4.90 €

Средновековната стенна живопис в църквата „Св. Архангел Михаил“ в град Рила
The medieval wall painting in the church of Saint Archangel Michael in the town of Rila, Southwest Bulgaria

Author(s): Luben Domozetski
Subject(s): History, Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Middle Ages
Published by: Фондация "Българско историческо наследство"
Keywords: medieval wall painting; church; town of Rila; Byzantine art; iconography

Summary/Abstract: The painting in the church of Saint Archangel Michael have been preserved on the northern and the eastern walls. In the lower zones, there are images of saints in full length: bishops depicted in frontal view in the apse and in the eastern wall, Saint Damian and Saint Patapios in the prothesis. Images of Archangel, warrior saints and Saint Constantine have been preserved on the northern wall. In the upper zones, there are fragments of Christological compositions. The Mandylion depicted in the apse is of great interest: it presents the bust of a young Christ which resembles the image of Christ-Priest. Some iconographic features point to the conclusion that the painting in the church dates from the 11th century. The stylistic trends also correspond with this dating. Some images resemble the painting of the Odalar camii and the painting in the Church of Saint Sophia in Ochrid.

  • Issue Year: 7/2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 73-97
  • Page Count: 25
  • Language: Bulgarian