Prophetic Tier Iconography of the Rybotychi Masters Iconostases (1680–1760)

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to consider the iconography of the prophetic tier of 1680–
1760s iconostases done by the masters of the church art center in Rybotychi (Nadsiannia, Poland)
in the context of its content in the Western Ukrainian iconostases of the second half of the 17th – the
beginning of the 18th century. Methodology. The research uses methods of iconographic and
iconological analysis, reconstruction, and semiotics. The scientific novelty of the article is that for
the first time attention has been paid to the theme of the prophetic tier of the Rybotychi masters
iconostases which is considered in the semantic context of the Ukrainian iconography of the Virgin
with praise from the 15th – 16th centuries and the representation of the prophets in the Western
Ukrainian iconostases of the 17th – early 18th century. Conclusions. The themes of the prophetic
tiers of the iconostases done by the Rybotychi masters are echoed with other Western Ukrainian
artists of the 17th – early 18th century. However, there are some unexpected cases. This is the
figure of the prophet in the monastic vestment, whom we identify as Elijah and the figure of
Manasseh, who does not appear in the Ukrainian iconography of the Virgin with praise, nor is it
known in the prophetic tiers of other iconostases.
Key words: iconostasis, old testament prophets, prophetic tier, 1680–1760 Rybotychi center
of church art, iconography