Relief panels on a three-light window from Lesnovo. Proposing an interpretation of the semiotics of carved motifs

Abstract

The paper explores the semiotic meaning of relief panels from a three-light window on the northern facade of the naos of the Church of Archangel Michael and St. Gavrilo of Lesnovo at the Lesnovo Monastery (1340/1341). Iconographically derived from tombstones and objects of everyday use, their geometrical and zoomorphic decoration seems to suggest that the ktetor and his family believed in the protective power of the symbols and signs carved on them.

Keywords

• Byzantine architectural sculpture
• popular/folk piety
• prophylactic signs
• family of ktetor Jovan Oliver
• Lesnovo Monastery
• 14th century