"Under the Facade of a Stone Building": the Cladding of Wooden Churches of the Russian North in the 19th century

Abstract

The article is devoted to the phenomenon of cladding in the practice of construction, renovation, and restoration of wooden churches of the Russian North from the last quarter of the 18th to the beginning of the 20th century. The earliest documented cases of the cladding of wooden churches are traced, the opinions of researchers and restorers of wooden architecture monuments are analyzed, and the stylistic and artistic aspects of cladding are considered. As a result, it is stated that the historical cladding is the most important factor which must be considered in restoration work. Cladding became a very important component of the late period of the Russian wooden architecture history, fulfilling a protective and decorative function, and during the Late Classicism period acting as a distinctive style marker.