World Heritage Site: Wooden Churches of Maramureş
Publication Year: 2019
Publication Type: Article
Publication Identifier: WHE56185A3AD5
Summary
A rare analysis of apocalyptic iconography in UNESCO-listed Maramureș wooden churches reveals that Painter Ștefan from Șișești's static yet symbolically rich compositions—depicting the Holy Trinity, evangelists, and eschatological figures like the Lamb of God or Archangel Michael—served as visual prompts for community reflection on social harmony and posthumous destiny. Using Panofsky’s iconological method alongside ethnographic insights, the study argues that these works, though rooted in Post-Byzantine tradition, subtly humanize apocalyptic imagery under Baroque influence, signaling a collective preoccupation with societal cohesion and cosmic order. Their strategic placement—on nave vaults or altars—underscores their role as cultural signifiers, yet they remain underexplored despite offering key insights into 18th-century Maramureș aesthetics and values.
Citation
BERINDEI, C.-M. (2019). COMPOZIȚIILE ICONOGRAFICE PE TEMA APOCALIPSEI ALE PICTORULUI ȘTEFAN DIN ȘIȘEȘTI. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Historia Artium, 95–106. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbhistart.2019.05
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