Some Elements of Antiquity in Representation of Mountains in Georgian Painting of the 12th and 13th Centuries

A novel interpretation of mountain imagery in Georgian medieval art reveals deeper cosmological and philosophical meanings. The study identifies two distinct representations: mountains with immense roots, symbolizing cosmological elements, and anthropomorphic mountains, potentially linked to Neo-Platonic thought. These interpretations are drawn from murals at Gelati Monastery (13th century) and other Georgian churches, challenging conventional stylistic analyses. The research employs a comparative approach, examining visual motifs alongside historical and philosophical contexts, particularly the influence of Ioanne Petritsi's Neo-Platonic studies at Gelati.

Gedevanishvili, E. (2015). Some Elements of Antiquity in Representation of Mountains in Georgian Painting of the 12th and 13th Centuries. Actual Problems of Theory and History of Art, 5, 287–293. https://doi.org/10.18688/aa155-2-29