Dear friends!

We continue to acquaint you with the Artistic Heritage of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, in particular, with the ornamental paintings of the Church of All Saints.

Unlike the ornaments of previous epochs and styles, Art Nouveau ornamentation can effectively awaken the imagination of the viewer and form gracefully subtle associations.

The border between the vestibule of the All Saints Church and its porch, is marked by the arch. The ornamental and colorfully bright image of the miracle tree that adorns the arched pylons, can be considered ornithomorphic. When the viewer looks at the painting, intricate structural and colorful twists and turns of the flower-tree evoke clear associations with birds in his mind. Although, the buds, which reach for the light and look like little creatures that have opened their beaks, resemble birds only remotely. At the same time, two bright red, seed-filled fruits that have ripened on a strong tree trunk resemble parent birds with luxurious combs and powerful beaks. Therefore, looking more closely at the ornament, the viewer starts realizing that the impressions provoked by the linear-colored arabesque of this composition are partly the flight of fantasy. After all, what we see in front of us is the image of a plant.

Caption to the illustration:

1. Ohrim Sudomora. Ornament of the arch of the All Saints Church vestibule.

The text was prepared by Olena Pitateleva, the senior research worker

Research Division for the study of the artistic heritage of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Preserve

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