Память об умерших царевичах: к особенностям темы царского тезоименитства в ярославских стенных росписях XVII – первой половины XVIII вв.

Abstract

The focus of this paper is on the glorification of the Romanov house in early Modern times in the art of Yaroslavl. The city of Yaroslavl was closely involved in the chain of events leading to the enthronement of the reigning Romanov dynasty and that is why much attention was paid in the city to their glorification in church worship and ecclesiastical art. Images of holy princes on temple pillars and the consecration of cathedrae in honor of tsars and princes have become a tradition in Yaroslavl. Our study of the iconography of murals in Yaroslavl churches confirms that the lives and destinies of each Romanovs’ generation were reflected in Yaroslavl’s monumental painting, including images of princes who died in infancy. For con-temporaries, a death of an heir to the throne was a great loss and an omen of coming tribula-tions. The long life of the tsar and his family was, conversely, seen as a promise of stability and abundance in the country. To ensure longevity and well-being of royal figures the intercession of patron saints of the royal family was evoked. Their images were widely disseminated both in icons and in wall painting. The highest point of their glorification was the unique fresco com-position “May the Tsar and His family be blessed”, representing the genealogy of the Romanov dynasty, ascending from the holy princes and crowned by numerous tsareviches (tsar’s sons). Based on the analysis of this composition the interplay of reality and fiction in popular per-ception of the ruling house is discussed.