Publications
The visualization of a hagiography: Frescoes of the chapel of St. Nicholas of Myra in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin of the Ferapontov Monastery
Research on the frescoes of St. Nicholas chapel in Ferapontov Monastery's Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin reveals that the spatial arrangement of scenes, rather than chronological order, follows a principle of pairing and iconographic similarity. The study proposes that this compositional approach, characterized by visual and semantic balance around an axis of symmetry, was influenced by hagiographic icons of St. Nicholas. While the hypothesis is supported by the observation that thematically related scenes are placed opposite each other, the research also identifies limitations in this interpretation. This finding challenges traditional views on the linear historical narrative in medieval Russian art and suggests a more sophisticated visual conception.
Новые находки памятников древнепермского языка и письма
A groundbreaking discovery of previously unknown or unpublished Old Permian language monuments, written using the Abur script (or St. Stephen's script), sheds new light on 15th to early 16th century linguistic practices in the region. The study presents 37 word-forms, including novel lexemes, from inscriptions found in Ferapontov Monastery and other sites like Ust-Vym, dated between the 1460s and early 1490s. These texts, analyzed through facsimiles, transliteration, transcription, and Russian translation, reveal Old Permian scribes' integration into professional Old Russian scriptoria while also highlighting East Slavic scholars' growing interest in indigenous languages. The findings suggest that proficiency in these languages may have been a marker of elite intellectual circles, including those involved in significant biblical translations like the Gennady Bible.
Fresco “Saint Mary of Blachernae with Archangels” in the 1502 Wall-Painting of the Cathedral Church of Ferapontov Monastery. Interpretation and Symbolism
A novel interpretation of the 1502 fresco 'Saint Mary of Blachernae with Archangels' from Ferapontov Monastery, attributed to Dionisy, reveals it as a representation of the 'Synaxis of the Archangel Michael.' This study provides the first iconographic analysis linking the inscription on the icon to the liturgical text of the 'Lifting of the Panagia' rite, offering insights into its symbolic significance. The research suggests that this interpretation influenced Russian iconographic tradition, both during Dionisy's time and in earlier periods.
Toolkit for intensive work with metadata in specialized information systems
A dynamic metadata toolkit for specialized information systems has been developed to enable real-time modifications of both data and metadata models by users, addressing the challenges of heterogeneous data storage. This approach is demonstrated through its application in a digital registrar project for the UNESCO-listed Ferapontov Monastery, focusing on the 16th-century Dionisius frescoes in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin. The toolkit's adaptability allows for efficient management and analysis of cultural heritage data, providing a scalable solution for preserving and studying historical artifacts.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery