Παράσταση προσωπείου σε βυζαντινά γλυπτά
Part of : Δελτίον της Χριστιανικής Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας ; Vol.31, 1988, pages 175-180
Issue:
Pages:
175-180
Parallel Title:
Masks in Byzantine Sculpture
Section Title:
Articles
Abstract:
The mask, a popular theme in ancient art, serving as asymbol with apotropaic properties as well as a decorativemotif, passed into the thematic repertoire of Byzantinesculpture and remained in vogue until recent times.Two types of mask are found on column capitals of thefifth and sixth centuries from Constantinople: a beardedface with acanthus leaves for the beard and hair, and arepresentation of an ancient theatrical mask. On oneslab in the Byzantine Museum (T 28, Fig. 1) the mainsubject consists of a medallion containing a gorgoneionwith the features typical of the ancient prototype (wide,staring eyes, half-open mouth and confronted snakes onthe crown of the head), surrounded by a maeander witha hunting scene, which is a characteristic borderornament of tables and closure slabs of the fifth andsixth centuries. Two twelfth-century reliefs in theByzantine Museum (T 279 and Τ 302, Figs. 2-3) depictmasks with the features of the gorgoneion surroundedby vegetation: in the first of these, the mask is a motif ofequal importance with the fruits and foliage of the vinetinceau; in the second, the mask wears a 'crown'consisting of a pyramid of small roundels, perhapsintended as a stylized rendering of snakes.A twelfth-century capital in the Byzantine Museum (T221, Fig. 4) has a mask carved in the triangular spacebetween two stems intertwined at the base (an echo ofthe Sassanid 'tree of life' motif), which turn into snakeshigher up. Similar instances of stems turning into birdsor snakes are to be seen on a seventh-century capitalfrom Nea Anchialos, some tenth-century reliefs in thechurch of the Panagia at Hosios Loukas monastery andsome eleventh-century reliefs from the Mani. A masksurrounded by snakes in a radial pattern was often usedas an apotropaic device on amulets, together withinvocations to the Virgin and representations of saints.And snakes, which are an essential feature of thegorgoneion, were used for apotropaic purposes in anoratory near Poitiers and on the episcopal throne in thebasilica at Aquileia (8th-9th cent.).A lintel fragment in the Byzantine Museum (T 203, Fig.5) is adorned with a cross framed by an arch, with atheatrical mask on either side of the arch. The fact thatthe lintel was found at Eleusis, the combination of archand cross (which is a characteristic feature of MiddleByzantine Athenian reliefs) and the treatment of thefoliage and knots adorning the colonnettes of the archall suggest that this piece was made in the late twelfth orearly thirteenth century in a local workshop with strongleanings towards the antique heritage.Masks are frequently depicted in sculptures from theBalkan countries. In popular architecture it is believedto bring good luck to a building if a mask, or even anentire head sculptured in the round, is built into itswalls.
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