On the New and the Old in Alexander Kornoukhov’s Art. Mosaics in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace

• Main Author: Natalia Lichtenfeld
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: St. Philaret’s Christian Orthodox Institute 2016-11-01
• Series: Вестник Свято-Филаретовского института
• Subjects: mosaic; church art; byzantine tradition; artist; image; iconography; church architecture; eschatology; theological symbolism; мозаика; церковное искусство; византийская традиция; художник; образ; иконография; архитектура храма; эсхатология; богословская символика
• Online Access: https://psmb-neos-resources.hb.bizmrg.com/target/sfi/3d42aef3bc8d12d5f594c5149eee7fbfffd39e38/%D0%90%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%85%D0%A1%D0%A4%D0%98_%D0%92%D1%8B%D0%BF20.106-125.pdf
• ISSN: 2658-7599; 2713-3141

The article studies the mosaics by A. D. Kornoukhov on the vault of the Redemptoris Mater Chapel in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. New features introduced by the artist into the program and the style of mosaic decoration are analysed in relation to the traditional décor of Christian temple. Innovations are considered in terms of their theological content, iconography, imagery and artistic presentation. The image of the East Christian temple structure and its theological symbolism were depicted on the chapel vault by means of mosaic art creating an unparalleled eschatological image of the “new heaven”.