Kraljevi Vladislav i Radoslav kao ktitori - sličnosti i razlike

Abstract

The starting point of this paper is an assumption that creation of works of material culture requires necessary material means, but that existence of ktetorial financial means does not in itself guarantee actual creation of artistic works, nor their significance. The paper compares two ktetors - the two heirs of King Stefan the First-Crowned. Prince Vladislav, the younger son of King Stefan - one of the most prominent persons in the Kingdom, but still not the king, had significantly different starting position in his ktetorship in comparison with the King's older son Radoslav, who was destined to inherit the throne. As a son of the concurrent king Stefan the First-Crowned, Vladislav raised his ktetorial endowment, the Monastery of Mileševa, around the year 1220, after which it was frescoed with assistance of his uncle, archiepiscope Sava. This cooperation resulted in creation of the following frescoes: Ktetorial portrait, Procession of the Nemanjić Dynasty, The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, Harrowing of Hell. It is possible that St. Sava also assisted in some other issues related to foundation of the Mileševa Monastery. Radoslav was already crowned when he raised the narthex of the Studenica monastery, and frescoes within this narthex were also created under St. Sava's influence. In comparison, Vladislav founded an entirely new monastery, which was a significant financial burden for a prince, while Radoslav, as the king, limited his ktetorial activity on upgrading the Studenica Monastery which was endowment of his grandfather St. Simeon. It should be noted that the Studenica Monastery was ranked as the most important monastery in the church hierarchy of the Serbs. After St. Sava passed away, Vladislav, who was crowned King in the meantime, transferred the relic of St. Sava to the Mileševa Monastery, thus effectively raising the importance of Mileševa to the 2nd most important Serbian monastery. The legal regulation of Mileševa was based on the Law of St. Sava, while previous regal regulation of the Studenica Monastery became the Law of St. Simeon.