Studia Humanitatis No. II (XXII) / 2026
Ornithomorphic and fantastical motifs in the decoration of Brâncoveanu charters
Associate Professor Dr Ion Marian Croitoru, Dr. Oana-Mădălina Popescu The study analyses the ornithomorphic and zoomorphic motifs found in the decoration of the charters issued during the reign of Constantin Brâncoveanu, identifying peacocks, cross-bearing eagles, doves and winged lions in documents drafted by calligraphers such as Isar the Logothete, Constantin Mihailovici Conțescul and Mihai, son of Stan the Logothete. Beyond their aesthetic function, these representations constitute a coherent visual language, expressing the Orthodox Christian identity of Wallachia, the virtues of governance and the symbiotic relationship between the Principality and the Church.
