Hripsime Monastery Fresco, a photo from Kars, East Anatolia

Photographer's Note

This is a fresco within the Hripsime Monastery in the ancient ruined Armenian city of Ani. In Turkish it is simply known as the Church of Frescoes. It is also known as the Tigran Honents Church, after a wealthy Armenian merchant that ordered and paid for its construction, as well as the Church of St Gregory the illuminator and the Church of Sirli. The church dates from 1215 AD. The fresco depicts the martyrdom of female saints, who are being beheaded by the man with a sword at right. The man at top left strongly resembles Ghenghis Khan, who sacked the city in 1236 AD, although Wiki describes him as 'Trad III', perhaps a Mongol General? There is Armenian text above his head in the blue part of the fresco. The bird droppings have added a Jackson Pollock effect.

From Wikipedia: "Hripsime (Armenian: Հռիփսիմէ, died c. 290), also called Rhipsime, Ripsime, Ripsima, Arbsima or Arsema was a martyr of Roman origin; she and her companions in martyrdom are venerated as the first Christian martyrs of Armenia."

The city was destroyed by a terrible earthquake in 1319 AD. Its ruins are now UNESCO Heritage listed and offer a fascinating glimpse into the 13th and early 14th centuries.

jhm, pierrefonds, Fis2, jemaflor, Royaldevon, pajaran, PaulVDV, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (102066) 2021-11-14 3:59

Hello Chris,
Despite the damages this fresco still looks vivid and vigorous. The figures and colours are quite bold, so they must have made a strong impression. The light seems to have been reasonably good, or you just happened to manage whatever there was very well.

My congratulations to Australia for being named "colossal fossil" with a "breathtaking ineptitude" at the Cop26 talks. :-)
Best regards,
Gert

pierrefonds (113676) 2021-11-14 4:44

Bonjour Chris,

Le cadrage serrй met l'oeuvre d'art en йvidence. La prise de vue permet de voir les dйtails de la fresque. La lumiиre met en valeur les couleurs de l'image. Bonne journйe.

Pierre

jhm (211734) 2021-11-14 4:45

Hello Chris,

I think that the fresco urgent would must become restaured
This would be a wonderful fresco
Now we see the colours perfect also the man with sword
Excellent composition also nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Fis2 (169847) 2021-11-14 9:27

Witaj Chris!
A very interesting fresco, colors make impression.
Good POV and light.
TFS.
Well done.
Have a nice new week.
Krzysztof

Silvio1953 (220717) 2021-11-14 9:54

Ciao Chris, great view of fantastic fresco, wonderful colors, splendid sharpness and fine detailsy, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Tue (91658) 2021-11-14 10:12

Hello Chris,
Great close-up of this ancient fresco, whose colours are still very nice and appealing, especially the deep blue ones. The sharpness is excellent and reveals the details so well.
Lars

lousat (138683) 2021-11-14 10:41

Hi Chris,very interesing post, the fresco is a bit danmaged but it's very old and a great piece of history for Ani,very good capture in the usual top sharpness! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

ifege (47069) 2021-11-14 20:11

Hi Chris
A good one of the fresco which has enough detail and colour for us to appreciate.
cheers
Ian

Gerrit (62042) 2021-11-14 23:13

Hello Chris,
what a beautiful but heavy weathered fresco with the dark colors still quite well provided.
thanks and regards,
Gerrit

jemaflor (146382) 2021-11-14 23:24

Hi Chris,
Interesting and well framed fresco, nice details and colors, a scene well presented, tfs.

Royaldevon (85674) 2021-11-15 1:58

Hello Chris,

For a fresco of such antiquity and having survived an earthquake, it does look remarkable, especially the rich colours.
I can't say I can clearly see the female martyr but the men creating the act, with sword aloft, are very easy to find.
The fresco would be improved with some cleaning and restoration. It is a significant part of the history of the area.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

pajaran (115025) 2021-11-15 7:27

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepa stara freska, dobro pokazan sa lepim bojama i kontrastom.
Dobar rad lepa fotografija.
Lepi detalji na freski u manastiru.

Zelim vam sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela.
Paja

PaulVDV (62810) 2021-11-15 10:54

Hello Chris,
Despite the damage in many places, we can still admire the beauty of the fresco.
The colours have remained surprisingly pretty good.
Best regards, Paul

mkamionka (73500) 2021-11-16 3:14

Hi Chris,
This looks really old indeed.
I spotted the inscription as well.
It must be a strange feeling for Armenians or Greek people to know that their precious ancient treasures are now in a different country.
Interesting dark blue background.
Very well done,
M

mcmtanyel (67757) 2021-12-10 19:41

Hello Chris,
I am surprised these frescoes are preserved as well as what we see. I would expect the vandals to have obliterated them by now.
Regards,
MT
PS. You seem to be the only one that recognized the allusion to the Pink Floyd song.