Publication details
Surb Astvatsatsin in Yeghipatrush: the architectural and decorative elements.
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2023 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Despite the general lack of consistent art-historical examinations – also due to its mediocre state of preservation – the thirteenth-century gavit of the church of Surb Astvatsatsin in Yeghipatrush constitutes a fascinating case study in the panorama of Armenian architecture. Indeed, although its rectangular structure with four columns and nine sections is common to many contemporary gavits, it shows unique architectural and decorative peculiarities. On the one hand, the building presents two multi-story chapels on the eastern side akin to structures found in the contemporary Tegher and sixth-century Ereruyk basilica. On the other hand, it presents a type of sculptural decoration known as muqarnas or stalactite-type decoration in the capitals of the columns and on the western entrance of the gavit. Although not unique, this feature is nonetheless rare and raises other questions. Specifically, I would like to stress the connections with buildings that present similar decorations such as the entrance of the upper floor of Surb Astvatsatsin of Yeghvard and the entrance of the gavit of Surb Astvatsatsin in Neghuts. The paper aims primarily to present the decorative phenomenon in its historical context and to compare it with other contemporary commissions of the Vachutian family, that ruled the area during the time of construction of the Yeghipatrush gavit, from the early thirteenth to the middle of the fourteenth century. |
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