Interaction of verbal and graphic image in decoration of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra old-printed Akaphistus-books of the 17-18th cc.

A distinctive feature of baroque style in Ukrainian book culture emerged through the artistic decoration of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra's 17th–18th century Akaphistus-books, blending verbal and graphic elements to enhance prayer perception. Frontispiece engravings, often accompanied by hymn citations or descriptive poetry in earlier editions (17th c.), directed readers' attention to the glorification of God, angels, or saints. By the 18th century, advancements in xylography improved image quality, while miniatures were replaced by engraved initials and framed pages, maintaining visual enrichment without verbal inscriptions. This interplay of text and imagery, rooted in the first Akaphistus editions (1625–1629), reflects a unique tradition that shaped Ukrainian baroque aesthetics.

Kurhanova, O. (2018). Interaction of verbal and graphic image in decoration of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra old-printed Akaphistus-books of the 17-18th cc. Text and Image: Essential Problems in Art History, (2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.17721/2519-4801.2018.2.01