English

Treasures from the Ark : 1700 years of Armenian Christian art

Armeniawas the first country to recognize Christianity as the official state religionin 301 AD, twelve years before Constantine's decree granting tolerance toChristianity within the Roman Empire. Ever since, Armenia has claimed theprivilege of being the first Christian nation, and the wealth of Christianart produced in Armenia since then is testimony to the fundamental importanceof the Christian faith to the Armenian people. Thisextensive new survey of Armenian Christian art, published to accompany a majorexhibition at The British Library, celebrates the Christian art tradition inArmenia during the last 1700 years. The extraordinary quality and range of Armenianart which is documented includes sculpture, metalwork, textiles, ceramics, woodcarvings and illuminated manuscripts and has been drawn together from collectionsthroughout the world—many of the examples have never before been seen outsideArmenia. Inhis authoritative text, Dr. Vrej Nersessian, Curator at The British Library,charts the development of Christianity in Armenia. This fascinating history isessential to an understanding of the art and religious tradition of Armenia, acountry in which the sense of the sacred extends w

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