Abstract: The main subject of this research is the tradition of visual representation of the luminosity of the divine nature in Western European Christian art of the IV–VIII centuries. The objects of study are fragments of monumental temple decorations containing images, both literal and symbolic, of this divine phenomenon, as well as written sources related to the interpretation of these images. The focus of the research is on the Western European artistic tradition of depicting the halo of Christ and its change during the period under review.
The purpose of this work, which is the first part of the study, the chronological framework of which covers the period from the IV to the XIII centuries, was to compile a holistic view of the development of the iconographic tradition of representing the theme "I am the light of the world", the luminosity of the divine nature of Christ in the context of the study of the visual language of Western European medieval religious art of the IV–VIII centuries. The visual sources of this work are Christian churches that have preserved the monumental decoration of the IV–VIII centuries, which are located on the territory of Rome, Ravenna, Milan, Naples and surrounding areas. The methodology on which this research is based is represented by typological, iconographic and formal stylistic methods of analysis.
The novelty of the present study is a detailed analysis and systematization of various visual representations of the luminosity of the divine nature of Christ, first of all, variants of the image of the halo and their transformation over time. Based on the studied sources, the author has compiled a certain classification picture, which allows forming a holistic view of the formation and development of the artistic tradition of representing this topic.

Abstract: The object of this study is the representation of the plot of the knight's novel "Iwein or the Knight with the Lion" in Western European art of the XIII-XIV centuries. The subject of the study is the features of the visual language of secular medieval art, which manifested themselves in various visual representations of this plot. The purpose of this work was to identify similarities and differences in the structure of various iconographic programs created on the basis of this novel in the period under review, to analyze the dependence of the visual interpretation of the text on the functional purpose of the monument (illuminated manuscripts and monumental murals), as well as to compare the existing visual representations of the history of Yvaine with the structure of the literary plot itself. The main research methods in this work are the methods of iconographic and iconological analysis, involving the identification of relationships between the images of the iconographic program of monuments and literary subjects on which these programs are based. The novelty of the work consists in identifying the structural features of the iconographic programs of the monuments under consideration, their similarities and differences from the programs of the religious content of the era under consideration, which is important for understanding the overall picture of the development of the visual language of Western medieval art of the XIII-XIV centuries. As a result of the conducted research, it is concluded that the considered secular programs are significantly inferior in their structural complexity to programs of a religious nature, most of them represent a visual interpretation of the plot intended to demonstrate and glorify the traditional lifestyle of the knightly estate and entertainment, and only one of the considered iconographic programs of this period has a complicated structure closest to the basic one It can be considered, as well as the text of the poems of Chretien de Troyes and Hartmann von Aue, in the context of understanding its religious basis.

Abstract: Temple programs of the Romance epoch widely represented the Christ in Glory (Majestas Domini) image in portals and apses of temples and little parish churches. That image could be either a part of a more massive iconographic scheme or a concise piece drawn on the portal tympan or apse conch. The subject of the research is the structure and symbolism in the image of Christ in Glory in Western European temple decoration of the XIst - XIIth centuries. The object of the research is the representation of that image in various Western European monuments of that period. The main research method used by the author of the present article is the method of iconographic analysis that implies comparison of the program of monuments themselves and associated texts from the Bible, texts of masses and liturgic manuscripts. The novelty of the research is caused by the fact that the author defines liturgic symbolism of this composition with reference to particular objects and including it into the general interpretational picture for each program. Such approach allows to achieve better understanding of the visual language of the Roman temple decoration in general and each program in particular. As a result of this research, the author concludes that at least starting from the Carolingian epoch the image of the iconographic scheme 'Majestas Domini' in temple programs does not only symbolically depict the beginning of the Eucharistic prayer but also becomes the key to understanding complex iconographic programs directly related to the visual representation of evangelistic themes. 

Abstract: The subject of this work is the iconographic program of the mosaic of apse of oratory of the Abbey Theodulf in Germigny-des-Prés. The object of this research is the oratory of the Abbey Fleury and Bishop of Orleans Theodulf in Germigny-des-Prés – a unique heritage of the Carolingien era, which not only allows touching the historical source as a priceless document and witness, but also raises multiple questions. The discussion field consists not only from the aspects of preservation of heritage, state and dating of the fragments of its decoration, but also the program of mosaic which is noted for a unusual iconographic and style of performance. In the presented research based on the iconographic method and interdisciplinary approach, the author analyzes the Old Testament images of Theodulf’s mosaic, comparing them with the texts of the Holy Scripture. The author examines the modern perception on the discussion iconographic program of the mosaic of apse of the oratory in Germigny-des-Prés and suggests its own version of explanation of Theodulf’s iconographic scheme, which complements the already existing interpretational picture. It is demonstrated that the Ark of the Covenant is the main conceptual object of this program, and the invisible Glory of the Lord that is present between the cherubs of the Ark is closely connected to the liturgical symbolic.