O zbędności obrazu. Na marginesach Kodeksu Supraskiego
On the Redundancy of the Image. In the Margins of the Codex Suprasliensis

Summary/Abstract: The article analyzes the artistic setting of the Codex Suprasliensis, in order to understand its character and context, as well as to reflect on the place of manuscripts in art history. The beginning of each text is distinguished by an initial, and texts for each day are separated by ornamental trails. These are monochrome, without colored fill. Although simple, these elements are refined, and the initials have interlaced forms. The ornaments are elegant and harmoniously arranged, giving the text a rhythm. A paleographic analysis of the personal invocation: “Lord, have mercy on Retko, Amen”, suggests that Retko was the scribe of the book and the author of the decorations. In the Orthodox culture, the relationship between text and image is significant and illustrated manuscripts are important in research, but many old books do not contain illustrations or even decorations, or they are very modest. The Codex Suprasliensis is such a manuscript, which suggests its purpose for everyday use for religious purposes. The article also analyzes the margins of the book, where there are various notes and drawings, including exercises in copying patterns and attempts to learn to write, for example, on folio 18v of the part from the National Library in Warsaw (152v), there is a drawing of a saint and a request for help in learning to write, signed by Amos. These notes testify to active reading and the educational function of the codex, during the time it was located in the Supraśl monastery.

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