Reliefs on gavit of Surb Karapet / St. John the Baptist Church - Noravank Monastery (Vayots Dzor province - Armenia)
N 39° 41.098 E 045° 13.940
38S E 519922 N 4392818
The depicted stunning reliefs on western wall of gavit of Surb Karapet (St. John the Baptist Church), part of Noravank monastic complex in Vayots Dzor province of Armenia, is one of masterpieces of an Armenian medieval sculptor and architect Momik.
Waymark Code: WMQKJM
Location: Armenia
Date Posted: 02/28/2016
Views: 1
The depicted stunning reliefs on western wall of gavit of Surb Karapet (St. John the Baptist Church), part of Noravank monastic complex in Vayots Dzor province of Armenia, is one of masterpieces of an Armenian medieval sculptor and architect Momik.
St. John the Baptist was built for Prince Liparit Orbelian (1216-1221). An earthquake destroyed the original dome and the building was rebuilt at least twice. The church is a domed cruciform with two story annexes in the corners.
The most beautiful part of the church is its former gavit. Gavit was church's formal entrance, an academy, manuscriptorium, and community center. The first gavit was built immediately after the church, and rebuilt in 1261 by the architect Siranes for Prince Smbat Orbelian. Following the 1321 earthquake, the gavit was rebuilt, possibly by famous Armenian architect and sculptor Momik, adding a vaulted roof and two of Momik's most outstanding stone-carved reliefs on the tympanum for the door and the upper window arch.
The door tympanum is decorated by relief of seated Virgin Mary with Infant Jesus, set against a richly carved backdrop with large letters interwoven with floral designs of leaves, vines and flowers. Two saints gazing on the central figures, whose pose is typical of medieval figural carvings, while the rich embroidery especially of the throne cloth incorporates Armenian detailing into the design.
The upper window relief is a unique creation of God the Father, Adam, Christ and biblical figures. The large carving is deeply engraved, lifting the figures off the background. As opposed to European artists who made associative depictions of the Holy Father (the right hand, a ray of light, etc.) the author of this magnificent sculpture depicted him in human form, as a bearded man. The scene shows God with His right hand lifted above a miniature scene of the crucified Christ, flanked by the Blessed Virgin and John the Evangelist and above the prone figure of the prophet Daniel.