L’image du Mont-Athos dans l’exonarthex de Polovraci

Abstract

The frescoes of the exonarthex of the church in the monastery of Polovraci, representing a panorama view of Mount Athos with its monasteries is a unique example in the religious art in the 18th century. Recent studies have proved that the engravings that circulated widely, were, in general, instrumental in the process of iconographie transformations in art it that period. The frescoes of Polovraci are an example of this influence. The author tries to trace the engraving which could have been the model for this representation of Mt Athos and taking in consideration the inscriptions placed on the wall high up in the frescoe comes to the conclusion that it could be none other than the ones illustrating the Proskynitarion, a sort of travel guide book to Mount Athos, written in 1701 by Jean Commène, physician, in the court of the Prince Constantin Brancovan