The Art of Ancient Russia

Old Russian art includes several eras: from the reign of Yaroslav the Wise and until the reign of Peter. Its origins are closely related to the diverse traditions of the East Slavic tribes, in which weapons, decorations and clothing must necessarily be decorated with ornaments, and the statuettes are endowed with magical properties and personify all possible forces of nature.

The Art of Ancient Russia: Architecture

During this period, great attention is paid to the construction of monumental grandiose structures made of materials such as stone and wood. They raise mainly huts, temples, defensive partitions on bulk shafts, bridges across rivers, pavements, grids, noblemen's chambers and a tower. Buildings should be colorfully painted, have intricate roofing and be decorated with carved patterns.

The art of Ancient Russia brings to an entirely new stage temple construction. Thanks to the Byzantine architect, churches are beginning to be built using a cross-shaped four-pillar structure. Its main idea is that with the help of columns or pillars the room is divided into longitudinal parts (naves). On the drum, located on the central supports, there is a dome, and the central space forms a cross. On the east side there should be altar rooms.

In the 11-12 centuries the art of Ancient Rus is characterized by a rapid growth of temple construction. In Kiev - the art center of the ancient Russian state - during this period, more than four hundred cathedrals, the Golden Gate (the main entrance to the city) and about eight markets were erected.

The main cult building of this time is the St. Sophia Cathedral. It is crowned with twelve domes, decorated with frescoes, mosaics, decorated with majolica, carved and polished stone.

Stone cathedrals were also built in Chernigov (Spaso-Preobrazhensky), Polotsk and Novgorod (St. Sophia).

Fine Arts of Ancient Russia

The appearance of Christianity introduced a somewhat different content into the painting. The strictness of Byzantine art clearly contradicted the Slavic pagan and joyful perception of the world. Under the brush of Old Russian artists the ascetic manner of Byzantine painting turns into symbolic creations close to the Slavic nature.

Icons are written mainly on a tree.

The art of Ancient Rus is characterized by the development of fresco painting and mosaic. In this area there are attempts to create your own style. The Novgorod school in its works used the brightness and high contrast of color. Samples of the fine arts of the Kiev school are distinguished by a more gentle palette.

Figures on mosaics and frescos reflect a certain plot, they are fixed and frontal, and the size personifies the importance of their semantic load.

Applied art of Ancient Russia

Here, images of ancient pagan mythology are reflected. Wooden utensils, carved ships, furniture, jewelry and fabrics, embroidered with gold, are permeated through with symbolic images. The things found in the treasures are decorated with drawings of animals.

Female jewelry with a variety of symbolic images had a direct ritual significance. Silver temporal pendants in the form of stars, gold chains, monsters of medallions, beads, crosses, covered with granules with the finest scandium, silver wide bracelets and rings of precious metals with the image of a lion's head - this gave a festive women's robes wealth and multicoloredness.

High-level plastic reached and facial sewing. Products using these techniques were created mainly in monasteries and workshops at the court of the Grand Duke. Sewing was carried out with multi-colored silks, mostly smooth. Embroiderers created many unique works of DPI (decorative and applied art), not inferior to paintings.