To the Issue Concerning a Byzantine Iconostasis in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the 19th – Beginning of the 20th Centuries

A key discovery in this study is the identification of milestones in the creation of a Byzantine-style iconostasis within the Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra during the 19th to early 20th centuries, revealing its cultural and artistic underpinnings. The research employs historical, cultural, and art analysis to demonstrate that while the Byzantine iconostasis was conceptually implemented in 1845–1847 and 1890–1900, it coexisted with Baroque traditions, particularly in side-altars' iconostases. Notably, the study highlights the conservatism of religious figures who prioritized sacred values over stylistic consistency, leading to material compromises (e.g., silver instead of traditional marble). The autonomy of the iconostasis style from mural paintings is also established, with the Baroque tradition prevailing in new projects despite Byzantine influences on wall decorations. This case study underscores the tension between stylistic innovation and religious preservation in sacral architecture.

Bardik, M. (2021). To the Issue Concerning a Byzantine Iconostasis in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the 19th – Beginning of the 20th Centuries. Almanac “Culture and Contemporaneity”, (2). https://doi.org/10.32461/2226-0285.2.2021.249250