Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
EMMA SHALJYAN – Staff Writer
The Armenian Studies Program invited Dr. Ronald Marchese, Professor of Ancient History and Archeology, at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, as a guest on Thursday, January 30, to speak on the topic of “Art and Society in Armenian Constantinople.”
Dr. Marchese, together with colleague Dr. Marlene Breu, is the co-author of the critically acclaimed Splendor and Pageantry: Textile Treasures from the Armenian Orthodox Churches of Istanbul (Istanbul: Citlembik Publications, 2011) and is currently finishing work on a second volume devoted to the metal work produced by the Armenians of Constantinople.
The lecture focused on the textile treasures of Constantinople and the cultural context in which they were produced. Dr. Marchese developed his interest and research into the Armenian religious objects in Constantinople in the late 1990’s and is fascinated by the diverse artistic work produced.
In Armenian material culture, textiles were considered to be a popular form of expression. This kind of art was gender specific; men produced the block printed fabric, while women did the delicate work of needle and lace embroidery. Because of the many new churches being built by Armenians in Constantinople in the 18th and 19th centuries, there was a greater need for religious items such as crowns, collars, and altar curtains. This led to the establishment of embroidery schools, with exclusively Armenian students.
The “Constantinople Style” of art, in textiles and in metal work, developed in the middle of the 18th century. The style included the incorporation of specific scenes, nature/floral patterns, metals, gemstones, and pearls in the artwork. All the work was delicate with very detailed craftsmanship. The “Constantinople Style” was a unique artistic style that became recognized for its delicacy, beauty, vibrancy, and complexity.
Dr. Marchese presented images of several distinctive art pieces that he had studied. He mentioned the importance of the Armenian inscriptions for an understanding of the social forces at work in the community.
Many of the artists who produced the Armenian manuscripts were clergymen, who worked either in monasteries or in very isolated areas, while artists who dealt with gold, silver, bronze, and other metals worked in villages or in urban environments.
Most of the objects discussed during the evening were examples of religious art created from gold and silver threads, representing the images in the richest and most vivid colors possible. The majority of these works are kept in the Armenian churches of Constantinople, with limited access for safekeeping.
Dr. Marchese shared his knowledge and understanding of the history and the significance of these artworks with the Fresno audience in his fascinating lecture.