КУЛЬТУРНО-МИСТЕЦЬКІ ВІДНОСИНИ ВІЗАНТІЇ ТА АНГЛІЇ В ЕПОХУ РАННЬОГО СЕРЕДНЬОВІЧЧЯ

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to consider the dynamics of development and special features of artistic and cultural relations between the Byzantine Empire and England in the early Middle Ages; to find out the ways of the dissemination of the Byzantine culture; to characterise the activities of missionaries, clergy, and Kings of England who contributed to the interpenetration of cultures. The research methodology consists of the general scientific principles of historicism and systematic approach. The article applies general scientific and theoretical methods: source studies – to study the historical prerequisites for the formation of artistic and cultural relations between the Byzantine Empire and England in the early Middle Ages; analysis – to establish the influence of the Byzantine art on the development of art in England; systematisation – to understand the processes of development of cultural and trade relations of the countries in the specified period. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the fact that for the first time in Ukrainian historiography, it examines the influence of Byzantine culture on the culture of England in the early Middle Ages, which is a part of the Romano-Germanic civilization tradition. Conclusions. It has been revealed that in different historical periods the nature of relations between the Byzantine Empire and England underwent a transformation. The article confirms the hypothesis that for several centuries after the fall of “Roman Britain”, the south of Britain continued to remain in the sphere of influence of Byzantium, its partially isolated part. The recognition of Byzantium as the centre of Christianity stimulated the interest of English artists, sculptors and icon painters in Byzantine art and the Byzantine influence could be traced in their works. It has been proved that Britain maintained a constant interest in Byzantine art, transmitting and refracting the traditions of Byzantium through the prism of its national traditions. However, Byzantium conceptually rejected the cultural achievements of England and the West, demonstrating its closed nature, preventing the penetration of foreign elements from the outside. Cultural integrity dominated cultural assimilation.