Iconostases of Galicia: History and Features of Design

Abstract

The meaning of sacral art in the spiritual culture of Ukrainian people is scarcely explored. Analytic review of iconostases in Galicia during 19th and the first half of the 20th cnturies as a phenomenon of Ukrainian artistic culture may be used during the restoration of ancient religious buildings, as well as in construction of new ones. The aim of the research is a historical comparison as well as artistic and culturological analysis. A series of iconostases have been introduced into scientific circulation. The meaning of carved décor in Galician Ukrainians’ sacral culture has been outlined. The formation of iconostasis design in the sacred environment of Galicia is investigated. The dominant and accentuating role of the iconostasis in the design of the church interior is established. The artistic carving played an important role in the history and artistic features of the iconostasis. The artistic and figurative solution of iconostases was conducted with the imitation of historical styles and used imitation of the ornamental and compositional structures of traditional folk art. Consequently, a national style emerged that became an original phenomenon of world art. Prospects for further studies are in increasing the number of studied iconostases, in investigating the symbolism of carved décor and its meaning in the sacral culture of the Ukrainians. Furthermore, the traditions of the design of religious buildings may be applied in modern construction