Crkva Bogorodice Odigitrije u selu Mušutište kod Prizrena

Abstract

The history of Serbian secular art begins in the 16th century during the reign of King Milutin. In a strengthened state, Serbian nobility gained a new position in society. The new role of the nobility, as well as their newly acquired rights and responsibilities, became most evident through the construction of their own endowments.Taking inspiration from their ruler and his significant philanthropic activities, the most powerful among them followed his example. We don't have much information about the early noble endowments. The oldest known such endowment, which has been preserved to this day, is the Church of Virgin Mary Odigitri in the village of Musutistu near Prizren. Based on the donor's inscription that was located above the lintel of the western portal, we know that the church was built in the year 1315 by the great treasurer Jovan Dragoslav.Jovan Dragoslav, a high-ranking state official with executive authority, was the guardian of the royal treasury and had access to the material resources that the king allocated for the construction of a large number of endowments. The Church of Virgin Mary Odigitri in Musutistu was built following the model of a royal endowment, the Church of St. Nikita in Skopska Crna Gora. The builder replicated the architectural design that had been realized in this royal church a decade earlier. The architectural concept of both churches had its origins in the main Byzantine centers. This could also suggest the origin of the builders, who likely came to Serbia from Thessaloniki.The frescoes of the church have suffered significantly over the centuries. Only about ten figures of saints were preserved in the sanctuary and the northwest part of the cella. The rest of the surfaces had been painted over. Based on the preserved figures, it was clear that talented craftsmen had worked here. This was evidenced by the preserved figures of archbishops, holy women, holy warriors, and one figure of a holy physician.Byzantine artists brought the spirit of Palaeologan art to Serbia. Among the best of them were Mihajlo Astrapa and Evtihij, who served the king and came from Thessaloniki. We do not have information about the origins of the artists who painted the Church of Virgin Mary Odigitri in Musutistu. The preserved inscriptions on the frescoes were written in both Serbian and Greek, which was common in churches of that time. The great treasurer Jovan Dragoslav, who was respected court nobility, could undoubtedly have easily accessed skilled and talented artists. They can be counted among the finest artists of their era.Changes in the Serbian state during the reign of King Milutin led to material and spiritual progress for the people. This is best observed through the noble endowments, which were in their infancy at the time and marked a new chapter in the history of Serbian art, beginning in the early 16th century.