An interpretation of textile wealth in the eleventh-century Armenian miniature family portrait of King Gagik-Abas of Kars
by Antaramian Hofman, Hazel, M.A., CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO, 2011, 183 pages; 1502585

Abstract:

The eleventh-century miniature family portrait of Christian King Gagik-Abas is the only known Armenian painting of a Bagratuni dynastic family. Established interpretation of the image suggests that indicators of rank and status are displayed within the iconography and mannerisms of the figures. My analysis focuses on the profusion of sumptuous textiles and the intriguing compositional placement of the female figures in the picture. I interpret these pictorial elements as allusions to dowry wealth and matrilineal inheritance. My thesis suggests that the composition of the image and the opulence of the represented textiles convey dynastic affluence in an effort to support the central figure, the young daughter, within the socio-political context of medieval life in the region. As the only heir of the last Bagratuni king in Greater Armenia, Princess Marem was to inherit the dynastic lineage from her father. Their kingdom was threatened by Seljuk invasions and Byzantine land annexation policies. The image was created during this tumultuous period in the history of the Bagratunis. In such a situation, I suggest that the miniature painting reveals the family’s response to the hostile situation of regional politics for Armenian nobles in their homeland. Within the historical context of the image, marital alliances between Armenian nobles were not uncommon and intermarriages existed between Armenian and non-Armenian dynastic families. Showing dynastic lineage and textile wealth in the image was a plausible way to secure a future for Marem through marital arrangements.

 
AdviserKeith Jordan
SchoolCALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO
SourceMAI/ 50-03, p. , Dec 2011
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsArt history
Publication Number1502585
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