In the manuscript Gospel of the Russian State Library (f. 439.23.5)
Summary
Inesa G. Danielyan
Key words – Momik, Armenian miniature, Illuminated Gospel, Russian State Library, Portraits of the Evengelists, Miniature of Gladzor, Orbelian.
The article is devoted to study of the miniatures of Armenian Four Gospels from Russian State Library (f. 439.23.5). The illustration of the manuscript consists of khorans, portraits of the Evangelists, title pages and marginalia. It is unknown when, where and by whom was created the manuscript, because the last pages where usually are given the main information about the manuscript – lost. Article discusses the question of the author of paintings of the Russian State Library’s manuscript. In 1963, Tatiana Izmailova, a prominent scholar, in unpublished description of that manuscript, which is also stored in Russian State Library, it is noted that the artistic decoration of the Four Gospels is close to Gladzor school of Armenian miniature and to the paintings of master Momik. T. Izmailova dated the manuscript to the beginning of the 14th century. Based on stylistic and iconographic study of the miniatures we can confirm that the artist of the Gospel was the famous Armenian medieval master – miniaturist, sculptor and architect Momik. The compositions of miniatures representing the Evangelists, as well as their images and types indicate the relationship between the paintings of Momik’s manuscript of 1302 (Matenadaran, N 6792) and therefore, the Gospel can be dated to the first decade of the 14th century. If we take into account some additional details, we can make assumptions about the identity of the patron of the manuscript. The abundant use of gold in the illustrations, as well as the parchment, on which the manuscript was written, indicates the material well-being of the donor. It is not excluded that the patron of the manuscript was one of the most important member of the noble family Orbelian as master Momik mostly worked under their patronage. The article is devoted to study of the miniatures of Armenian Four Gospels from Russian State Library (f. 439.23.5). The illustration of the manuscript consists of khorans, portraits of the Evangelists, title pages and marginalia. It is unknown when, where and by whom was created the manuscript, because the last pages where usually are given the main information about the manuscript – lost. Article discusses the question of the author of paintings of the Russian State Library՛s manuscript. In 1963, Tatiana Izmailova, a prominent scholar, in unpublished description of that manuscript, which is also stored in Russian State Library, noted that the artistic decoration of the Four Gospels is close to Gladzor school of Armenian miniature and to the paintings of master Momik. T. Izmailova dated the manuscript to the beginning of the 14th century. Based on stylistic and iconographic study of the miniatures we can confirm that the artist of the Gospel was famous Armenian medieval master – miniaturist, sculptor and architect Momik. The compositions of miniatures representing the Evangelists, as well as their images and types indicate the relationship between the paintings of Momik՛s manuscript of 1302 (Matenadaran, N 6792) and therefore, the Gospel can be dated to the first decade of the 14th century. If we take into account some additional details, we can make assumptions about the identity of the patron of the manuscript. The abundant use of gold in the illustrations, as well as the parchment, on which the manuscript was written, indicate the material well-being of the donor. It is not excluded that the patron of the manuscript was one of the most important member of the noble family Orbelian as master Momik mostly worked under their patronage.