Alexandra N. Shapovalova
(European University, St.Petersburg)

The Novgorod Mural Paintings and Religious Theories of the East Christian World in the Second Half of the 14th century.

The Novgorod cultural and social life in the second half of the 14th century was characterized by large intensiveness: broad contacts with the countries of the Byzantine world, attempts to gain independence from Moscow, increasing role of democratic institutes in the government of the city, intense artistic and building activity, spreading of different philosophical and religious theories. Among the most important circumstances of this period are the hesychast discussions in Byzantine Empire and the heresy of strigolniki in Novgorod. During this period around fifty churches were built here, and they were decorated by local and guest painters. This text aims to explore the influence of social life of Novgorod on its mural paintings of the second half of the 14th century.