[Manuscript]. Ավետարան [GOSPEL]. [Saint Karapet Church in Ma - Lot 102

[Manuscript]. Ավետարան [GOSPEL]. [Saint Karapet Church in Marash]. 1735-1737. In-4, (ca. 22x16.5 cm.), 251 f., contemporary Armenian full tan basane binding, smooth spine, cold decoration on boards, red edges (headpieces torn off, corners dull, lower hinge split, spine loose, quires out of order, holes on boards, soiling and dampening, small color losses on some illustrations, half of leaf 36 missing). Superb illustrated manuscript from the XVIIIᵉ century. This Armenian gospel manuscript is richly decorated with three full-page portraits of the evangelists Mark (verso f. 71), Luke (verso f. 120) and John (verso f. 194). Created in gouache, these illustrations use a traditional palette of blue, red and green, with highlights of white and yellow. The portraits are executed in a primitive, expressive style, characteristic of certain regional schools. The manuscript also includes four richly illustrated altar bands in the same color harmony. The margins are decorated with a variety of illustrations (angels, human and animal figures, abstract and ornamental elements). The initials, often executed in red ink with colorful details, are of the "կենդանագիր" type - in the shape of animals - in the purest Armenian tradition. Copied between 1735 and 1737, this manuscript is the work of the scribe Astvatsatur, also known as Narin, in the Church of St. Karapet in Marash. He refers to himself in the colophon as գծող Նարին (draftsman Narin) and mentions his parents as well as his paternal uncle Սիմէոն րապունապետ և հովհապետ, probably Simeon II of Sebaste. The scribe indicates completion of various sections on leaves 68 (1735) and 193 (1736), with the final date on the colophon being 1737. The text is copied in two columns throughout the manuscript. This manuscript testifies to a high level of local artistic mastery, as well as to the cultural and religious vitality of Marash in the XVIIIᵉ century.