Armenian Additions to a Greek Gospelbook: Brescia, Biblioteca Civica Queriniana A.VI.26

Authors

Kathleen Maxwell, Santa Clara UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1994

Publisher

Sorbonne University, Section des Sciences Historiques et Philologiques (France)/Peeters

Departments

Art and Art History

Abstract

Comparative studies of Byzantine and Armenian illuminated manuscripts invariably highlight the Armenian debt to Byzantium¹. Byzantine influence on Armenian illumination can be observed as early as the eleventh century². The narrative cycle of the Gospelbook of King Gagik of Kars³ (dated 1045-54) reflects the influence of both the Byzantine frieze Gospels in Paris (Bibl. Nat., cod. gr. 74) and the Lectionary in Athos (Dionysiou, cod. 587)⁴. Byzantine impact on later production may also be noted. Buschhausen has recently demonstrated that the majority or the narrative illustrations in the fourteenth-century Armenian Gospels, Vienna. Mekhitharist Library, cod. 242 were created by Greek artists in Armenian service⁵. In view of the strength of Byzantine influence in the Armenian sphere, it is interesting to note an example that runs counter to this trend. This study will demonstrate that an Armenian artist executed the evangelist portraits of a Greek Gospe l book. Bresc ia, Civica Biblioteca, Fonclo Qucrini , cod. A. VI. 26.

Comments

Copyright © 1994 Peeters. Reprinted with permission.

Recommended Citation

Maxwell, Kathleen "Armenian Additions to a Greek Gospelbook: Brescia, Biblioteca Civica Queriniana A.VI.26." Revue des études Arméniennes 25 (1994-5): 337-352.