This work retraces observations concerning insufficiently known emblems, represented on some examples of late Byzantine architecture. Also, should an emblem be invested with a role of a codified sign, without being literally visible, could it function as a segment of the imagery employed in the articulation of the facades of late Byzantine and Serbian medieval architecture
The essay analyzes the ornament known as the-Heracle's knot‖ and its usage in sculpture in the late Byzantine sacred context. It is a less known fact that the motif of Heracle's knot, apart from its wide usage in Antiquity in all ranges of artistic production, blossomed during the Palaiologan period especially in the architecture of King Milutin of Serbia (r. 1282-1321). Heracle's knot is depicted on the bifora on the west façade of the church of St. George at Staro Nagoriĉino and the bifora of the apse of the church of St. Joachim and Anna (widely known as King's church) in Studenica Monastery, both dating to 1313. Usage of Heracle's knot represents a continuation of King Milutin's triumphant intentions and in that sense functions as an apotropaic symbol. On the other hand, usage of this symbol could also be connected with the visual response of his prayer for posterity with Queen Simonis, his young Byzantine wife.
This article aims to analyze the ktetorial composition depicted above the west portal of the Chora Church (Kariye Camii). Although many researchers provided a description of this composition, the representation of the church in the hands of Logothetes tou Genikou, Theodore Metochites, has not been specifically examined. No matter that the church is depicted with the majority of the architectural elements which correspond to the reality, it is interesting to notice that two large crosses are depicted laterally of the west portal. These crosses do not correspond to the elements of the brickwork of the west facade. Nevertheless, careful analysis of the marble portal between naos and narthex area contains quite particular detail: in the lower third of two jambs of the portal were inserted pectoral crosses (encolpia) which testified to the keeping of small particles of the True Cross relic, hope for salvation and inscribing of the ktetor in the circle of the protected by True Faith.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.