THE DOORS OF THE SUZDAL CATHEDRAL. ICONOGRAPHIC PARALLELS

The guilt doors of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Suzdal is a landmark of Medieval Rus artistic craftwork. The western doors of the cathedral are compared with the Novgorod doors of 1336 created for the St. Sophia Cathedral in Velikiy Novgorod. The stylistics of the latter demonstrate decline in the traditions of artistic craftwork and lower requirements of the societal elite to its production. Such transformation was the result of the Mongol invasion and the Horde yoke. Main narrative scenes on the cathedral doors of the 16(th) century are different from the scenes on the Suzdal doors; in some cases, their narratives coincide. The interpretation of the religious scenes on the doors of the 13(th) and the 16(th) centuries demonstrates cardinal differences. The artisans of the 16(th) century pay more attention to details, introduce additions that are not based on the text of the Bible and were borrowed from secondary Christian interpretations in theological books, prayer practice and hymnography. The comparative analysis offers an opportunity to address the issues relating to the role of the Suzdal doors in subsequent development of Medieval Rus craftwork, the impact on later works of art, evolution of the style and iconography.