Focusing on the multifaceted roles of arms and armor, this book offers a scholarly yet accessible examination of their significance in Renaissance and Baroque societies. Beautifully illustrated, it delves into the cultural, social, and artistic aspects of these artifacts, highlighting their impact on identity and power during these historical periods.
The church of St. Panteleimon at Nerezi is a significant monument of twelfth-century Byzantium, built by a member of the imperial family and adorned by top artists of the era. Featuring five domes that echo the architectural style of Constantinople, Nerezi serves as a vital link to the artistic and architectural trends of that time, despite its location in what is now the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Remarkably, it remains virtually intact compared to its contemporaries. While recognized as a major work of Byzantine art, Nerezi lacks a dedicated scholarly monograph, leaving much of its architecture and ornamentation unexplored. This book marks the first comprehensive study of Nerezi, divided into six chapters that explore its historical context, architectural design, sculpture, and mural paintings. It aims to connect the building's various elements to each other and to other contemporary Byzantine monuments. The study serves two main purposes: to provide detailed data on the church's measurements, materials, and decorations, and to examine the figure of its patron, Alexios Angelos Komnenos. By analyzing the building's structural and aesthetic choices, the book raises broader questions about the role of the Komnenian aristocrat and the church within its provincial setting. Additionally, it includes extensive visual documentation, presenting architectural monuments, drawings, photographs of the decoration, and evidence