A picturesque binding of a Tetra-Gospel of 1631 from the gathering of the Russian National Library in Saint Petersburg

Abstract

In the article via examples of Tetra-Gospel of 1631 from the gathering of the RNL bindings decoration state and characteristics research we have examined the short history of appearance of the unique type of bindings decoration, performed in the technique of temper and oil painting. Due to the decoration technique such bindings were called picturesque. The bindings with picturesque images originate from ancient Coptic bindings. For the fi rst time they had appeared in the Eastern region of the Mediterranean basin and subsequently prevailed as a unique kind of binding industry both in Western and Central-Eastern Europe. The author has emphasized the characteristics and specifi cations of artistic bindings decoration in different countries. The particular attention is paid to the bindings, created on the territories of contemporary Ukraine and Poland. While examining the history of picturesque bindings existence in Europe, the author has made a passing mention of the state of the mentioned kind of bindings scientifi c research in the world historiography.