Art Second_Bulgarian_Empire

a depiction of kaloyan , desislava, ktitors of boyana church

the mainstream of bulgarian fine arts in 13th , 14th centuries known painting of tarnovo artistic school. despite being influenced tendencies of palaeogan renaissance in byzantine empire, bulgarian painting had unique features; first classified separate artistic school french art historian andré grabar. school s works had degree of realism, individualized portraits, , psychological insight. little secular art of second empire has survived. fragments of murals depicting richly decorated figure uncovered during excavations in throne room of imperial palace in tarnovo. walls of throne room decorated images of bulgarian emperors , empresses.

the frescoes in boyana church near sofia example of painting of tarnovo artistic school, dating 1259; among complete , best-preserved monuments of eastern european medieval art. unlike contemporary byzantine art , church canon, of 240 figures display individuality, psychological insight, , vitality. portraits of church s ktitors, kaloyan , desislava, , of ruling monarch constantine tikh , wife irene dressed ceremonial garments, realistic. rock-hewn churches of ivanovo in north-east of country contain several churches , chapels represent evolution of bulgarian art in 13th , 14th centuries. in paintings in churches of first period, painted during reign of ivan asen ii (r. 1218–41), human figures depicted in realistic style, oval faces , fleshy lips. colours of clothing bright, while 14th century frescoes in classical style of palaeogan period. both boyana church , rock-hewn churches of ivanovo included in unesco world heritage list.

frescos in rock-hewn churches of ivanovo

in tarnovo, no complete painting ensemble has survived. thirty-five scenes preserved in holy forty martyrs church feature mild tones , sense of realism characteristic of school. fragments of frescoes excavated in ruins of seventeen churches in tarnovo s second fortified hill, trapezitsa; among them depictions of military figures wearing richly decorated garments. palace chapel decorated mosaics. in western bulgaria, local characteristics of remnant art include archaism in composition , unshaded tones, examples of found in locations including zemen monastery, church of holy mother of god in donja kamenica, , church of st peter in berende.

many books of second bulgarian empire contained beautifully crafted miniatures, notable examples being bulgarian translation of manasses chronicle, tetraevangelia of ivan alexander, , tomić psalter, have 554 miniatures. style of miniatures, depict variety of theological , secular events , have significant aesthetic value, influenced contemporaneous byzantine works.

the tarnovo school continued; enriched traditions , icon designs of first bulgarian empire. notable icons include st eleusa (1342) messembria, kept in alexander nevski cathedral in sofia, , st john of rila (14th century), kept in rila monastery. boyana church frescoes, st john of rila uses realism , non-canonical design. of preserved icons feature silver platings enamel images of saints.