Nikodim Kondakov
Encyclopedia
Nikodim Pavlovich Kondakov , 1844, village of Khalan, Kursk Governorate, Russian Empire
–February 17, 1925, Prague
, Czechoslovakia
), was a Russian historian
, specialist in history
of Byzantine art
. Attended Moscow University under Fedor Buslaev in 1861–1865. Taught in the Moscow Art School after graduation. In 1870 became a lecturer (professor since 1877) in the University of Novorossia, Odessa
(now Odessa National University, Ukraine
), and since 1888 taught in the St. Petersburg University. Member of the Russian Academy of Fine Arts since 1893 and the Russian Academy of Sciences
since 1898. In 1895, founded (with Fyodor Uspensky
) Russian Archaeological Institute in Constantinople
. During the Revolution and the Civil War in Russia, lived in Odessa
and Yalta
. In 1920, emigrated to Bulgaria
and then to Czechoslovakia
, where continued to teach in the Prague University until his death in 1925.
In his first book, on Greek manuscript illumination, published in 1877, Kondakov approached stylistic evolution of Byzantine art
through the use of artistic ideal. He collaborated with Salomon Reinach
in Antiquités de la Russie Méridionale (published in 1891). His lectures greatly influenced many future Russian historians, among others, Michael Rostovtzeff
. Kondakov authored numerous works on the history of Ancient Greek, Russian, Georgian and Byzantine art. He founded modern method in Byzantine art history.
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
–February 17, 1925, Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
), was a Russian historian
History of Russia
The history of Russia begins with that of the Eastern Slavs and the Finno-Ugric peoples. The state of Garðaríki , which was centered in Novgorod and included the entire areas inhabited by Ilmen Slavs, Veps and Votes, was established by the Varangian chieftain Rurik in 862...
, specialist in history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
of Byzantine art
Byzantine art
Byzantine art is the term commonly used to describe the artistic products of the Byzantine Empire from about the 5th century until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453....
. Attended Moscow University under Fedor Buslaev in 1861–1865. Taught in the Moscow Art School after graduation. In 1870 became a lecturer (professor since 1877) in the University of Novorossia, Odessa
Odessa
Odessa or Odesa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the northwest shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine with a population of 1,029,000 .The predecessor of Odessa, a small Tatar settlement,...
(now Odessa National University, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
), and since 1888 taught in the St. Petersburg University. Member of the Russian Academy of Fine Arts since 1893 and the Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Academy of Sciences
The Russian Academy of Sciences consists of the national academy of Russia and a network of scientific research institutes from across the Russian Federation as well as auxiliary scientific and social units like libraries, publishers and hospitals....
since 1898. In 1895, founded (with Fyodor Uspensky
Fyodor Uspensky
Fyodor Ivanovich Uspensky or Uspenskij was the preeminent Russian Byzantinist in the first third of the 20th century. His works are considered to be among the finest illustrations of the flowering of Byzantine studies in Tsarist Russia....
) Russian Archaeological Institute in Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
. During the Revolution and the Civil War in Russia, lived in Odessa
Odessa
Odessa or Odesa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the northwest shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine with a population of 1,029,000 .The predecessor of Odessa, a small Tatar settlement,...
and Yalta
Yalta
Yalta is a city in Crimea, southern Ukraine, on the north coast of the Black Sea.The city is located on the site of an ancient Greek colony, said to have been founded by Greek sailors who were looking for a safe shore on which to land. It is situated on a deep bay facing south towards the Black...
. In 1920, emigrated to Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
and then to Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
, where continued to teach in the Prague University until his death in 1925.
In his first book, on Greek manuscript illumination, published in 1877, Kondakov approached stylistic evolution of Byzantine art
Byzantine art
Byzantine art is the term commonly used to describe the artistic products of the Byzantine Empire from about the 5th century until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453....
through the use of artistic ideal. He collaborated with Salomon Reinach
Salomon Reinach
Salomon Reinach was a French archaeologist.The brother of Joseph Reinach, he was born at St Germain-en-Laye and educated at the École normale supérieure before joining the French school at Athens in 1879...
in Antiquités de la Russie Méridionale (published in 1891). His lectures greatly influenced many future Russian historians, among others, Michael Rostovtzeff
Michael Rostovtzeff
Mikhail Ivanovich Rostovtzeff, or Rostovtsev was one of the 20th century's foremost authorities on ancient Greek, Iranian, and Roman history....
. Kondakov authored numerous works on the history of Ancient Greek, Russian, Georgian and Byzantine art. He founded modern method in Byzantine art history.
Further reading
- Klejn, LeoLeo KlejnLev Samuilovich Klejn , better known as Leo Klejn, is a Russian archaeologist, anthropologist and philologist.-Early life:Klejn was born on 1 July 1927 in Vitebsk, Belarus, to two Jewish physicians, Polish-born Stanislav Semenovich and Asya Moysseevna...
. "Nikodim Pavlovich Kondakov, 1844–1925", Encyclopedia of Archaeology, Part I, The Great Archaeologists. Santa-Barbara, CA; Denver, CO; Oxford, England: ABC-Clio, 1999 (hardcover, ISBN 1-57607-199-5), Vol. I, pp. 165–174.
External links
- Iconography of Mother of God, vol. 1-2. Saint Petersburg 1914; Prague 1915