1. For the Pantokrator epitaphios, see Millet 1947, pp. 87–89, pl. 176.2. For the aer of Anastasios from Vatra-Moldovitei Monastery (1484), see ibid., pp. 87–88, pl. 177; Johnstone 1967, p. 123, pl. 105.
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2. Vatopedi 1998, pp. 421–24, fig. 357.
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Epitaphios of King Stefan Uro II Milutin. Serbia, ca. 1300 (embroidery); 16th century (velvet border). Silk and velvet; embroidery, gold and silver wire and silver thread; 143.5 x 72 cm (56 1/2 x 28 3/8 in.); with a border, 210 x 132 cm (82 5/8 x 52 in.). Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Belgrade (4660).
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The epitaphios, made of dark red silk, is embroidered with silk threads of ocher, green, purple, red, and white, and gold and silver wire. The central section features Christ, represented from above, as if lying in his tomb. His eyes are closed, and his long hair touches his shoulders. His head is surrounded by a halo, above which is the abbreviation (Jesus Christ).

A square panel covers the Savior's waist on which a large central cross is surrounded by several smaller inscribed crosses in circles. On either side of Christ's head is a six-winged seraph, and three pairs of flying angels are embroidered along the lateral sides. The background is filled with embroidered crosses and starlike ornamentation. According to the inscription embroidered in the lower section, the epitaphios was commissioned by the Serbian king Stefan Uro II Milutin (r. 1282–1321). The original epitaphios is now framed by a silk border from the sixteenth century.

The epitaphios displays certain stylistic connections with epithaphioi belonging to the Byzantine tradition, such as one in the Pantokrator Monastery, Mount Athos, and an aer from Vatra-Moldovitei Monastery in Romania.1 An analogous representation of Christ is found on an epithaphios from the Athonite Monastery of Vatopedi, also executed in the tradition of the Byzantine liturgy.2

SM (See Contributors to the Catalogue.)

  1. For the Pantokrator epitaphios, see Millet 1947, pp. 87–89, pl. 176.2. For the aer of Anastasios from Vatra-Moldovitei Monastery (1484), see ibid., pp. 87–88, pl. 177; Johnstone 1967, p. 123, pl. 105.
  2. Vatopedi 1998, pp. 421–24, fig. 357.
References: Valtrovi 1895, pp. 110–11; Mirkovi 1931, pp. 39–49, pl. 42; Mirkovi 1940, pp. 15–16, pl. IV.1; Turdeanu 1941, pp. 164–214; Millet 1947, pp. 88–89, pl. 171.1; Stojanovi 1959, pp. 41–42, fig. 2; Johnstone 1967, pp. 117–18, fig. 94; orovi-Ljubinkovi et al. 1969; Duani 1969, pl. 7; Stojanovi 1973, p. 13, no. 1, fig. 1; Dobrila Stojanovi, "Vez," in Radojkovi 1977, pp. 324–25; Mileusni 1989, p. 32; Mileusni 2001, pp. 67–69, 71; Athens 2001–2, p. 271.

See Works Cited.

Adapted from the exhibition catalogue (cat. 189), Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261–1557). Edited by Helen C. Evans. Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2004. Distributed by Yale University Press. The catalogue is available in the Museum's bookshops and online in The Met Store.

Many thanks to The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Editorial Department for making portions of the exhibition catalogue available for online use.

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