The Unknown Memorial Portrait of Queen Mariam in the Chapel of Ruisi Cathedral

Abstract

The Interior of a small chapel (eukterion), attached to the northeast side of the Ruisi Cathedral, features diverse architectural details and ornate decorations; architectural elements of the interior are faced with diverse/multicoloured stones perfectly fit the star-shaped vault of the chapel and various ornaments of the cornice. The altar floor, constructed with tricolour stones, harmonizes with these motifs.

The chapel’s interior was painted. Although, it is very damaged, and only separate fragments of murals have survived. A significant part of the painting survived on the west wall – the standing figure of a woman depicted on the left side of the window has survived in the best condition. The inscription on the figure reflects that the chapel painting keeps the portrait of an unknown queen. According to the lapidary inscriptions, the construction of the chapel is connected to the name of Giorgi Mroveli Bishop and Queen Mariam, the mother of Bagrat’ IV. Therefore, the fresco portrait resembling a nun may be considered a memorial portrait of Queen Mariam.

A highly picturesque composition of common tendencies typical to Christian and Georgian art depicted pursuant to the epoch in the space of the small chapel reveals the cultural relations of the donator of the chapel with the court of the Byzantine Empire and the aristocratic nature of the donor. The chronological framework for the construction and painting of the chapel is dated to the second half of the 11^th century – specifically between 1057 and the death of Bagrat’ IV in 1072, which coincided with Queen Mariam’s lifetime. It might be possible that Queen Mariam built this chapel in the important cathedral as her burial resting place.