ECA 2 (2005), p. 83-92; doi: 10.2143 / ECA.2.0.2004562

The Proskynetarion of Hernen Castle

Victoria VAN AALST and Mat IMMERZEEL

Hernen Castle, near Nijmegen in the east of the be read in their entirety, or have completely faded. Netherlands, was the most ideal location for the The composition in the rectangular field reflects that organisation of a symposium dedicated to proskyne- on the left, with scenes related to the Monastery of taria, not only for its idyllic ambiance, but also St Catherine on Mount Sinai; St Demetrius; the because the only example in the Netherlands of this Transfiguration; and Christ Enchained with the kind of pilgrims’ souvenirs can be admired Virgin and St John, surrounded by the twelve apos- here (Fig. 1; Pls 1-9). This well-preserved specimen tles placed in medallions. is owned by the restorer and art-historian, Mrs The middle section offers us a view of the inside Zuzana Skalova, and was exhibited for the first time and outside of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, on the occasion of this scholarly meeting. It is dated flanked by themes related to the building and to the 1832 and therefore perfectly illustrates the produc- Pascal liturgy, biblical events, martyrdoms, crucial tion of the Jerusalem ateliers of the first half of the matters of Christian doctrine and other sites of nineteenth century1. interest to pilgrims (Pl. 4). At the top, episodes from the Creation flank the Holy Trinity, below which ICONOGRAPHY the Last Judgement is rendered. The lower part is also divided into two zones, the first dedicated to The proskynetarion’s measurements are 90 ≈ 158 cm. the local legend of the Tree of Life, the second to As on many other proskynetarions, the surface is the life of St Mary of Egypt. divided into three sections, as if it were a triptych. In the centre of the frieze representing the story The ‘panels’ on the left and right consist of a cen- of the Tree of Life, a panel is provided with a ded- tral rectangular field with four scenes, framed by icative inscription, reading: X[ATHI] TO(?)NIOC twenty-four and twenty-six respectively small medal- PROCKINITJC TOI PANAGIOU TAFO[U] lions with representations. The left-hand section is 1832 (‘Hajji (An)tonios (?) Pilgrim to the all-holy dedicated to the Mother of God and represents an tomb 1832’; Pl. 7). It is noteworthy that the name iconographic cycle inspired by the Akathistos of the person who bought this proskynetarion is much Hymn2. Episodes from the Virgin’s life are rendered less legible than the other words. Apparently the in the medallions, starting with the Annunciation ‘Ìajji’, whose name seems to be Antonios, has bought and arranged clockwise around the central field. All a prefabricated souvenir with a standardised text the images are ‘numbered’ with the letters from the referring to the reason of his visit to Jerusalem. His Greek alphabet, from a to w. The central field name must have been entered as soon as the deal was shows: the Dormition of the Virgin; the Mother of concluded; the paint hardly had time to dry3. God as the Source of Life; St George, the Dragon- Slayer; and Maria Eleousa with twelve prophets and kings in medallions (the Tree of Jesse; Pl. 3). The 1 For the production of proskynetarions, see: Immerzeel 1999 right-hand section is dedicated to the Suffering of and 2004, with references to previous publications, as well as the acts of the symposium held in Warsaw in Octobre Christ, but here the sequence of the scenes in the 2003, published in Series Byzantina 3 (2005), and other medallions follows an anti-clockwise direction (Pls contributions in this volume. 1, 8, 9). Three Church Fathers precede the cycle, 2 See ™aptas 2004. 3 which starts in the fourth medallion with the The inscription on a proskynetarion in the Monastery of Saydnaya in Syria from A.D. 1738/39 displays another effect. Anointment at Bethania. Here inscriptions clarify Only the name of the pilgrim, called Magdalena, can be deci- the scenes, but in general they are too damaged to phered (Immerzeel 1999, no. 33; Immerzeel 2005, Sy3).

83 Pl. 1. Proskynetarion, Hernen Castle (Agatha Sloot)

STYLE from round to oval, while the features display a monotonous uniformity, devoid of any attempt at Concerning the technological aspects of this suggesting expressiveness. The outlines are shaded proskynetarion, it can be concluded that the over- with darkish colours that return in the simple ren- all composition gives proof of a symmetric and dering of the eyes and eyebrows, as well as in the geometric division into rectangles and circles prior small, straight mouths and there is a consistent to the designing of the subject matter. The style of touch of red on the cheeks. The main colours used the images can be described as naïve and popular. are reduced to red, blue and yellow, while some However pejorative these terms may seem, the for- elements are green and white. Tones in the dresses mal aspects can only be understood within the are obtained only by the restricted addition of tiny context of mass production, an unavoidable con- white brushstrokes. Landscape elements are created sequence of a souvenir industry, aiming at selling by a mixture of yellow and red, but even here they as many as possible ‘postcards’ avant la lettre to a are reduced to flatly rendered hills with quickly motivated, though uncritical, public4. The design sketched vegetation in green. The execution of the of the persons represented is stereotyped. There is, scenes testifies to the reliance of the artist on his for example, not a single difference in appearance routine in producing this kind of object. between St Mary of Egypt and the Virgin. The spelling of the Greek inscriptions is far Although figures are also recognisable by their from perfect, suggesting that the painter was dress, attributes, haircut and beards, differences in arabophone. Other proskynetaria are also provided gestures and attitudes are the main factors indicat- with inscriptions in Arabic, presumably because ing their role in the scenes. The head-shapes vary part of the clientele consisted of Christians living in the Middle East5, but this was not the case with the specimen in Hernen. When comparing this proskynetarion to other examples, it is remarkable 4 Immerzeel 1999, Immerzeel 2005. because of its respectable size and its excellent state 5 For example on the specimen in Saydnaya (Immerzeel of conservation. In conclusion, the Hernen 2005, Sy3). proskynetarion is a piece of art of modest qualities.

84 Fig. 1. Scenes on the proskynetarion of Hernen Castle

At the same time, it is a valuable time-document, 13. The Mother of God with the Child and John illustrating what was important to a nineteenth- the Baptist (N) century Christian ‘Ìajji’.6 14. The Mother of God and the Child, resting in a cave (z) DESCRIPTION 15. Christ Enthroned (o) 16. The Nativity (p) Left section 17. The Adoration by an unidentified man of the Mother of God with the Child (r) Medallions: 18. St John, sleeping, and the Mother of God of 1. The Annunciation: Gabriel announces to the Sorrows (C) Virgin that she will give birth to the Saviour (a) 19. The Good Shepherd (t) 2. The Annunciation: the astonishment of the 20. The Virgin’s vision about the Crucifixion? (u) Virgin (b) 21. The Virgin’s vision about the lance that will 3. The Annunciation: Gabriel reveals to the Virgin pierce her Son (F) the Divine Omnipotence (G) 22. Christ as High Priest? (x) 4. The Virgin Praying (D) 23. Adoration by a bishop (C) 5. The Visitation (e) 24. Adoration by a bishop (w) 6. The Virgin and Joseph (H) 7. The Nativity: the Mother of God, Joseph and Centre: the Child in the crib (H) 25. The Dormition of the Virgin (H KIMICIC) 8. An angel appearing to the shepherds (Q) 9. The Adoration of the Three Magi (i) (k) 10. The Departure of the Magi 6 The authors would like to express their gratitude to Annet 11. The Presentation in the Temple (l) Rijtma for her assistance in analysing the proskynetarion, as 12. The Flight into Egypt (M) well as to Agatha Sloot for photographing.

85 Pl. 2. The Dormition (Agatha Sloot)

Pl. 3. Maria Eleousa (Agatha Sloot)

86 Pl. 4. Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Mat Immerzeel)

Pl. 5. Holy Trinity (Mat Immerzeel)

87 Pl. 6. The Slaying of the Innocents (Mat Immerzeel)

Pl. 7. Inscription (Mat Immerzeel)

88 Pl. 8. Monastery of St Catherine (Agatha Sloot)

Pl. 9. Christ Enchained (Agatha Sloot)

89 26. The Mother of God as the Source of Life with 51. The Holy Sepulchre (O EPIQAFION) two angels (inscriptions near angels illegible) 27. St George the Dragon-Slayer (GEWRGIOC) Lower zone: 28. Maria Eleousa with twelve prophets (Tree of 52. Lot receives a part of the Tree of Life (EKCO- Jesse) MOLOGION) 53. Lot gives water to the Tree of Life (POTICI Middle section DENDR IC???) 54. The devil drinks the Life-Giving Water Upper zone: (PINI TONIRO) t. Inscription: X[ATHI] 29. The Creation of the World TO(?)NIOC PROCKINITJC TOI PANA- 30. The Creation of Adam and Eve GIOU TAFO[U] 1832 (‘Hadji Antonios (?) 31. The Holy Trinity Pilgrim of the all-holy Sepulchre 1832’). 32. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil 55. King Solomon gives instructions for the building 33. The Expulsion from Paradise of the Temple (KOGITOC ITO CO[LO]MO) 34. The Last Judgement: 56. A man cuts down the Tree of Life (KAN- a. Heaven: Abraham with a soul on his lap ITO….) (AB[RAAM]) and the twelve apostles outside 57. The wood for the Cross is carried away by two the city walls. men (CIKONITO ZILO) b. Archangel Michael and the Weighing of 58. The Hanging of Judas (O JWDA) Souls (M[IKAJL]) 59. St Mary of Egypt (A RIA) c. Hell, represented as a devouring monster, 60. St Athanasius (O AGIOC ATANACIOC) with devils and damned souls (in the flames 61. St Mary of Egypt crosses the sea (illegible) coming out of the beak of the monster: J 62. St Mary of Egypt as a nun ([MA]RIA) KOLACIC OMILONAC; to the right: J 63. St Mary of Egypt receives the cloth of St AMARTOLI) Zosimas (METAIABEO) 64. The Burial of St Mary of Egypt with the help Central zone: of a lion (O LE TECE) 35. The Martyrdom of St Stephen (CTJFANOC) 36. The Lamentation of Baruch (BARWK) Right section 37. The Harbour of Jaffa (IAFA) 38. St Sabas (CABA) Medallions: 39. The Exaltation of the Cross by Constantine 65-67. The Saints Gregory (GRIGORIO), John and Helena Chrysostom and Basil 40. St James, first bishop of Jerusalem (JAKOBOC) 68. The Anointment at Bethania 41. Christ with Mary Magdalene (MA…) 69. Zacchaeus climbing a tree to see Christ 42. The Sacrifice of Isaac (AB[A]AM) 70. The Healing of a woman 43. The Crucifixion 71. The Baptism in the Jordan 44. Part of the Church of the Anastasis? 72. The Resurrection of Lazarus (O LACA) 45. The opened and closed doors of the Church of 73. The Entry into Jerusalem (O BA…O) the Anastasis 74. The Last Supper (DIA MI) 46. The Ascension of Elijah (JLIAC) 75. The Washing of the Disciples’ Feet (illegible) 47. The Martyrdom of Isaia (ICAJA) 76. Christ Praying in Gethsemane (O PROC 48. The Slaying of the Innocents (J BROKTO- … XI) NIA) 77. Prayer in Gethsemane: St Peter and two youths (O KHWLICA) Centre: 78. Christ before Pilate (O PILA) 49. Interior of the Rotunda and the Resurrection 79. Christ before Caiaphas (KAIAFAC) (O AGIOC TAFOC) 80. The Betrayal of Judas (J PROTOIA) 50. Interior of the church with the hanging lamps 81. Peter’s Promise (illegible) and the Greek Orthodox patriarch distributing 82. Peter’s Denial to the serving-maid (ANICIOC the Holy Eastern Fire or ALICIC)

90 83. Peter’s Denial and the cock (O PETROC) BIBLIOGRAPHY 84. Christ Scourged (Flagellation; MA[R]T[I]CIC) 85. Christ with the Crown of Thorns Immerzeel, M. 1999, ‘Proskynetaria from Jerusalem’, ECACME 86. The Carrying of the Cross (Simon of Cyrene; 2 (1999), 53-62. illegible) Immerzeel, M. 2005, ‘Proskynetaria from Jerusalem. Souvenirs of a Pilgrimage to the ’, Series Byzantina 3, 9-24. 87. The Descent from the Cross (Joseph of ™aptas, M. 2004, ‘A Proskynetarion from the Collection of the Arimathaea;..ACIC) National Museum in Warsaw: A Preliminary description’, 88. The Ascension (ANACTACIC) in: M. Immerzeel, J. van der Vliet (eds), Coptic Studies on 89. Mary Magdalene at the Empty Sepulchre (O the Threshold of a New Millennium. Proceedings of the MIRAFORIC) Seventh International Congress of Coptic Studies, Leiden, 27 90. The Incredulity of Thomas (O QOMAC) August – 2 September 2000, II (OLA 133), Leuven, 1349- 1358. Centre: 91. The Monastery of St Catherine (CINAIOPOC) 92. St Demetrius (DIMITRIOC) 93. The Transfiguration (E METAMORFOCIC) 94. Christ Enchained with the Mother of God and St John, with images of the apostles (IX XC; MRQU; IW)

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