Serbo-Byzantine architecture

For the Serbian architecture and painting style of the Renaissance Palaiologischen is binding from the time of Stefan Uroš II Milutin ( 1282-1321 ). From Byzantine and Bulgarian art centers in Thessaloniki, Ohrid, Mount Athos, this particularly widespread in the medieval Serbian lands in present-day Kosovo and neighboring Macedonia. Here, the major works of the Macedonian School emerged ( so named in 1916 by Gabrielle Millet ), which reached its peak in the monastery church of Gracanica. Through a stronger accentuation of the building in the Macedonian School the development of an independent Serbian -Byzantine style of architecture can be seen, which can develop fully in the final period of Byzantine art in Serbia in the buildings of the Morava school.

Architecture

A direct Greek influence is evident in the architecture of the buildings Milutin through the mediation of the architecture in Thessaloniki. However, the height of the buildings, the urge to be built in Serbia is unknown in the former Byzantine art. For the first time five-domed churches be built in Serbia. Cross-domed churches with five domes are Gracanica (1311-1321), Staro Nagoričane (1317-1318) and Bogorodica Ljeviška ( 1310-1313 ). In addition to these major works simpler churches with only a dome like the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Lesnovo but especially the Royal Chapel ( King Church ) in Studenica monastery are mentioned. Direct model for the buildings Milutin is the Church of the Apostles in Thessaloniki.

Frescoes

The palaiologische Renaissance found by the two court painter to King Milutin, Michael Astrapas and Eustychios, entrance in the Serbian painting. The moving highly detailed action figures are stylized stronger in comparison to the monumental painting of the Raška School. The painters of Serbian monasteries date from the painting school of Ohrid. A special case is the fresco cycle in the Visoki Dečani monastery. Although the monastery is built in the style of Apulian Gothic, and one in the context of the Raska school so the frescoes are to be counted by style and character richness of the Macedonian school but do not reach the quality of the frescoes of Bogorodica Ljeviška the King Church in Studenica or Gracanica.

Icons

Few icons are from the period in particular be five level icons of the iconostasis in Decani. The long-limbed figures and fine drawings are extremely elegant. Important are the icons which are preserved in Ohrid. They show a lavish use of gold background.

Gallery

Fresco, early 14th century

Fresco, early 14th century

Fresco, early 14th century

Fresco, early 14th century

Fresco, early 14th century

Fresco, early 14th century

Macedonian school: White Angel of Milesevo, 13th century