Russian Visual Art during the Last Third of the 16th and Early 17th Century: Problems of Periodization

Abstract

Russian figurative art of 1560s — 1600s is an important phenomenon about which researchers still have a vague idea. When reconstructing the process of formation and change of stylistic models characteristic of the era, one has to select carefully the artifacts that can demonstrate this evolution. As a working solution to the problem, the author proposes to make sequences of pieces selected not arbitrarily, but according to certain principles. We mean formation of compact groups of precisely dated metropolitan monuments possessing typological, thematical and technical unity. In our case, these are, firstly, embroidered shrouds (epitaphia) with a scene of the Lamentation of Christ, and secondly, book engravings depicting the authors of biblical texts. Comparison of images within each pictorial series and juxtaposition of the results obtained, which seem to generally coincide, make it possible to give a preliminary periodization of court art of this era. In future it should be verified by using monuments which belong to other forms and media of visual arts.