DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.43337#0403
400 | THE WALL PAINTINGS OF AKHTALA MONASTERY
THE LAST JUDGEMENT
The «Last Judgement» is presented here in one of its most detailed vari-
ants and the scenes cover the three upper tiers of the west wall and part
of the vault and side walls of the west cross arm. The protruding arch
running across the vault divides the west arm into two approximately
equal areas, and forms a natural border for the composition. The lunette
of the west wall contains a «Deesis» surrounded by a throng of angels.
In the centre between the windows, directly below the figure of Christ in
the mandorla, we find the Hetoimasia at the feet of which Adam and Eve
bow down. There are two angels on each side of the throne and along
the window jambs angels are shown rolling up the scrolls of the heavens.
The entire second tier is taken up with scenes of paradise. These are,
from south to north, the «Bosom of Abraham», «The Virgin enthroned
between two archangels», «The penitent robber», and «The gates of par-
adise» while the last scene in the tier is divided horizontally into two
with the «Archangels with the Scales of Justice» being located above «St
Peter leading the righteous into paradise». On the outer face of the false
arch which frames the west wall can be seen depictions of the righteous
rising from their graves and symbols of the torments of hell.
On each side of the vault there are six enthroned apostles holding
open books in their left hands. Behind them stand several ranks of an-
gelic warriors. On the northern wall all the murals have been destroyed
but below the vault on the opposite side there are fragmentary remains
of a procession of the righteous made up of various ranks of saint. Be-
low the procession there is a detailed composition of the «Resurrection
of the Dead». This includes a trumpet-blowing angel who seems to be
descending from the heavens, and an allegory of the Earth in the form
of a crowned female figure sitting on a lion while numerous birds and
fishes disgorge parts of human bodies.
Each of these iconographic motifs is worthy of individual examina-
tion. This work, however, has already to a great extent been done. The
«Last Judgement» at Akhtala was described in detail by Thierry104, so
here we shall point out and offer a new interpretation of the most in-
teresting features.
The Akhtala composition for the most part follows the iconographic
type established in Byzantine monumental art by the 11th century105.
Every single scene here may be found in earlier Byzantine churches.
THE LAST JUDGEMENT
The «Last Judgement» is presented here in one of its most detailed vari-
ants and the scenes cover the three upper tiers of the west wall and part
of the vault and side walls of the west cross arm. The protruding arch
running across the vault divides the west arm into two approximately
equal areas, and forms a natural border for the composition. The lunette
of the west wall contains a «Deesis» surrounded by a throng of angels.
In the centre between the windows, directly below the figure of Christ in
the mandorla, we find the Hetoimasia at the feet of which Adam and Eve
bow down. There are two angels on each side of the throne and along
the window jambs angels are shown rolling up the scrolls of the heavens.
The entire second tier is taken up with scenes of paradise. These are,
from south to north, the «Bosom of Abraham», «The Virgin enthroned
between two archangels», «The penitent robber», and «The gates of par-
adise» while the last scene in the tier is divided horizontally into two
with the «Archangels with the Scales of Justice» being located above «St
Peter leading the righteous into paradise». On the outer face of the false
arch which frames the west wall can be seen depictions of the righteous
rising from their graves and symbols of the torments of hell.
On each side of the vault there are six enthroned apostles holding
open books in their left hands. Behind them stand several ranks of an-
gelic warriors. On the northern wall all the murals have been destroyed
but below the vault on the opposite side there are fragmentary remains
of a procession of the righteous made up of various ranks of saint. Be-
low the procession there is a detailed composition of the «Resurrection
of the Dead». This includes a trumpet-blowing angel who seems to be
descending from the heavens, and an allegory of the Earth in the form
of a crowned female figure sitting on a lion while numerous birds and
fishes disgorge parts of human bodies.
Each of these iconographic motifs is worthy of individual examina-
tion. This work, however, has already to a great extent been done. The
«Last Judgement» at Akhtala was described in detail by Thierry104, so
here we shall point out and offer a new interpretation of the most in-
teresting features.
The Akhtala composition for the most part follows the iconographic
type established in Byzantine monumental art by the 11th century105.
Every single scene here may be found in earlier Byzantine churches.