Discoveries
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New sections of ancient fresco paintings in the Eulogy of the Virgin side chapel ↓
A unique part of the frescoes of the Assumption Cathedral are these early wall-paintings. They are situated behind the iconostasis, on the chancel screen and inside the altar-space, namely - in the western part of the ancient side chapel of the Eulogy of the Virgin. Most of the researchers date these frescoes back to the end of the 15th century, particularly to the time close to the creation of the first iconostasis of the cathedral in 1481 led by the famous Moscow master Dionysius. A composition 'The Eulogy of the Virgin' is placed in the vault and reflects the side chapel dedication. The North wall is devoted to 'The Synaxis of the Virgin' and the south wall – to 'The Nativity of St John the Precursor'.
In the mid-second part of the 17th century, many reconstructions took place in the altar-space; the most fundamental was the reconstruction of its south part, where the side chapel is situated. A sacristy of hard access was situated under the western part of the side chapel and southward there was one more side chapel, dedicated to Demetrius of Thessaloniki. After the reconstructions, new storeys, overlapped by the new vaults, appeared here. The Eulogy of the Virgin side chapel had been shifted to the upper tier under the south dome, while a new, more spacious sacristy was set in its place. New inter-floor construction was mostly just attached to the walls with paintings, so the latest remained undamaged.
During the works in the Eulogy of the Virgin side chapel (that is now part of the sacristy) in 2017-2018 new sections of wall-painting were found: lower parts of the composition 'The Synaxis of the Virgin' and 'The Nativity of St. John the Precursor', and two new figures of the prophets from the composition 'The Eulogy of the Virgin'. These sections came out after the dismantling of later floor plates.
These frescoes have a very high artistic value and are preserved in good condition. They are made by talented icon painters of the end of the 15th century, among which a famous Moscow master Dionysius might have been.
In the years 2020-2021 research works in the south part of altar-space will be continued.
At the current moment, there has been prepared a project for preservation of the wall-paintings in the Eulogy of the Virgin side chapel.
In the mid-second part of the 17th century, many reconstructions took place in the altar-space; the most fundamental was the reconstruction of its south part, where the side chapel is situated. A sacristy of hard access was situated under the western part of the side chapel and southward there was one more side chapel, dedicated to Demetrius of Thessaloniki. After the reconstructions, new storeys, overlapped by the new vaults, appeared here. The Eulogy of the Virgin side chapel had been shifted to the upper tier under the south dome, while a new, more spacious sacristy was set in its place. New inter-floor construction was mostly just attached to the walls with paintings, so the latest remained undamaged.
During the works in the Eulogy of the Virgin side chapel (that is now part of the sacristy) in 2017-2018 new sections of wall-painting were found: lower parts of the composition 'The Synaxis of the Virgin' and 'The Nativity of St. John the Precursor', and two new figures of the prophets from the composition 'The Eulogy of the Virgin'. These sections came out after the dismantling of later floor plates.
These frescoes have a very high artistic value and are preserved in good condition. They are made by talented icon painters of the end of the 15th century, among which a famous Moscow master Dionysius might have been.
In the years 2020-2021 research works in the south part of altar-space will be continued.
At the current moment, there has been prepared a project for preservation of the wall-paintings in the Eulogy of the Virgin side chapel.