Κατεύθυνση Βυζαντινή Αρχαιολογία και Τέχνη
Library of the School of Philosophy

2021-04-28

2021

Pappi Anna

Αναστασία Δρανδάκη ,Επικ.Καθηγ. Βυζαντινής Αρχαιολογίας και Τέχνης,τμήμ.Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Γεώργιος Πάλλης,Επικ.Καθηγ.Βυζαντινής Αρχαιολογίας και Τέχνης,τμήμ.Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Πλάτων Πετρίδης, Καθηγητής Βυζαντινής Αρχαιολογίας,τμημ. Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας,ΕΚΠΑ

Θαλασσινά θαύματα και απεικονίσεις "υπέρ των εν θαλάσση καλώς πλεόντων" στη βυζαντινή εικονογραφία

Greek

Sea miracles and depictions “ υπέρ των εν θαλάσση καλώς πλεόντων" in byzantine iconography

The imprint in byzantine iconography of the byzantine seafarer’s faith in patron saints is revealed in early pilgrim mementoes ( eulogies),amulets and vows, monumental painting and portable icons. Unexpected maritime dangers by sudden storms and fierce pirate raids impelled sailors to appeal to the sea saints for help, a practice also reported in the pilgrims’ journeys and byzantine texts.
Pilgrim mementoes like the clay relief seal of Saint Phocas ( 6th-7th cent.) depicted as a sailor testify to his worship as a protector of sailors as early as the 6th century. Also a bronze seal of Saint Isidore (6th century) with a ship in his hand suggest his maritime connection.
The transition of the cult of Saint Phocas to the cult of Saint Nicholas of Myron of Lycia (by merging the homonymous saints of Myron and Sion) brought about iconographic alterations to the depiction of the patron saint of the seafarers with the sea miracle deriving from the iconographic circle of the Sionist saint as the most representative motif. Most common is The voyage to Jerusalem characterized by the presence of demons on the masts of the ship. Western art effects are observed in some cases.
Scenes with sea miracles from the iconographic circle of Saint Nikolaos in the monumental painting already appear in the 12th century in the frescoes of Myra of Lycia. During the 13th century maritime scenes follow the stylistic trends of the art of the Constantinople. Sea miracles are traced in the churches of wider Macedonia, in Serbian monuments, in Romania and in Georgia during the Paleologan period, the main artistic centers being Thessaloniki and Constantinople. They also appear in the 14th century monuments of Peloponnese and Crete indicating the activity of local art workshops.
At the same time, the sea miracle developed as a nautical episode in biographical images of Saint Nicholaos in Sinai (earliest example from the 12th cent.), Cyprus, Kastoria, Ohrid and Patmos. At the end of the 13th century in vita icons from Cyprus an early sea miracle of the Enthroned Virgin Mary of the Carmelites is depicted in the local painting style as well as a naval scene flanking an image of Saint Philip.
The depiction of the sea miracle of Saint Fanourios in an icon from Crete ( early 15th cent.) by the painter Angelos- in the historical background of the transfer of his cult from Rhodes to the monastery of Valsamoneron-has preserved the byzantine iconographic archetypes with influences from the art of western painting.

Archaeology

byzantine iconography, sea miracles, saints protectors

Yes

3

Yes

193

115

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https://pergamos.lib.uoa.gr/uoa/dl/object/2944160