Hidden and forgotten frescoes in Danilo’s narthex at the patriarchate of Peć

Abstract

The paper discusses unknown frescoes in the narthex of the Patriarchate of Peć Monastery dating from c. 1332 and found during the conservation-restoration works undertaken in 1931. They were discovered above the younger vaults (the cycle of the Passion of Christ) and in the large arched openings on the western side of the narthex, which were walled up in the sixteenth century (cycle of the True Cross, busts and figures of saints). During works on the presentation of the monument in 1932, these frescoes were once again concealed without having been subjected to scholarly research. However, the photographs taken during the conservation works do allow them to be studied. The results of their research have significantly altered the picture of the original wall paintings in the narthex. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 177036: Srpska srednjovekovna umetnost i njen evropski kontekst and Grant no. 177032: Tradicija, inovacija i identitet u vizantijskom svetu]

Keywords

• patriarchate of peć
• danilo’s narthex
• serbian medieval frescoes
• cycle of the passion of christ
• cycle of the legend of the true cross