Illustrated Chronicles

Russian chronicles containing illustrations, conveying the content of historical events not only with words but also with representational art. The three manuscripts of illustrated Russian chronicles that have survived —the Tver’ manuscript of the Chronicle of Georgios Harmatolas (14th century), the Radziwiłł Chronicle (late 15th century), and the Illustrated Chronicle Codex (1540’s-1560’s)—preserve traces of earlier illustrated chronicles that have not come down to us. In these chronicles, various events in Russian history and medieval social and historical concepts were conveyed by a harmonious iconographic system that developed over several centuries. A strict iconographic convention for depicting a particular event was established, and historical symbols were used, for example, a raised sword signifying a military threat. The complex feudal hierarchy was carefully preserved in the depiction of clothing, headdress, types of thrones, and so forth.