Early Christian, Byzantine, and Orthodox: AP Art History

Santa Constanza

Features circular church design Ambulatory containing religious artificats Rome, c. 338-350 Services delivered in center of church Features columns and brick construction Vaulted

Andrei Rublev

Fifteenth-century icon painter who depicted the divine persons of the trinity as the three angelic visitors hosted by Abraham near the Oaks of Mamre (Genesis 18)

pantocrator

Literally "ruler of the world", a term that alludes to a figure of Christ placed above the alter or in the center of a dome in a byzantine church

4 Evangelists

Mathew, Mark, Luke, John (each wrote one of the Gospels)

Hosios Loukas

Monastery Churches at Hosios Loukas (Plan) Hosios Loukas, Greece 1000-1125 Middle Byzantine 1 squinch dome and 1 pedantive dome.

hieratic

Priestly; pertaining to or used by priests; reserved for holy or sacred uses (hieratic writings, vestments, etc.)

Constantine

Roman emperor (r. 312-337). After reuniting the Roman Empire, he moved the capital to Constantinople and made Christianity a tolerated/favored religion.

Old St. Peter's Basilica

Rome 320-327 CE Features columns Built so the sun rises behind the preacher buried basilica plan Martyrium=church built over the grave of a martyr Apse (none here) Transcept Nave Narthex - entry point Atrium East orientation - faces holy land

kokoshnik

Russian maiden crown

Sinai Transfiguration

The Monastery was rebuilt at Mt. Sinai between 548 and 565 by command of Justinian and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The mosaic itself shows Christ's reappearance as a spiritualized, light-based form, having transfigured from his physical body. Jesus stands in a deep blue almond-shaped mandorla(aureole of light) flanked by Moses and Elijah with apostles John, James and Peter cowering below him. Medallions surrounding the image contain portrait busts of saints and prophets. The image focused on the contrast between the calm composure of the divine figures to the fear and shock of the earth bound disciples below, showcasing the key difference between divinity and mortality.

Disciples

The ____________________ were 12 close followers of Jesus. people who follow the teachings of another person

Postnik

The architect of Saint Basil along with Barma

illumination

The artistic decoration of books and manuscripts

atrium

The court of a Roman house that is partly open to the sky. Also the open, colonnaded court in front of and attached to a Christian basilica.

The Good Shephard

The earliest way Jesus is represented. During the third and the fourth centuries, catacomb paintings and sarcophagi depict the parable of the Good Shepherd as an allegory of Christian salvation. The last and most elegant GS is a mosaic lunette in the Mausoleum of Gall Placidia at Ravenna (425-450).

Period of Persecution

The first centuries after the death of Jesus, before Emperor Constantine proclaimed religious tolerance for Christians, were known as the ____.

Madonna with Saints Theodore and George

Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George Artist: unknown Date: 6th century Medium: encaustic on wood Period: Byzantine Historical Importance: Byzantine icons emerged from the Roman tradition of painting on wood, but the style is obviously a move away from the classical, as is the Christian subject matter.

Vienna Genesis

Which codex was among the earliest to illustrate scenes from the Bible? Location - Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well Rebecca and Eliezer at the well, from the Vienna Genesis, early sixth century. Painted purple vellum, approx. 12 ¼ x 9 ¼". The earliest well preserved painted manuscript we know of that contains biblical scenes is the Vienna Genesis. It has the continuity of a frieze in a scroll. In a continuous narrative , two or more scenes of a story are represented within a single frame. This becomes common in Medieval art. In this scene from the book of Genesis (24:15-61), Rebecca leaves the city of Nahor to fetch water from the well in the first episode. In the second, she gives water to Eliezer and his camels. Nahor is represented as a walled city seen from above, in the same way as the cityscapes on the Column of Trajan and the mosaics of Santa Maria Maggiore which incorporated Roman pictorial conventions. The action is simplified, Rebecca walks to the well along a colonaded avenue of a Roman city, the source of the well, after indicated by a seminude female personification of a spring—a reminder of the persistence of classical motifs. The detail is in the pantomime of the narrative. Rebecca braces her foot on the well as she tips the jug towards Eliezer. The background is a luxurious purple with silver ink. The manuscripts become more and more elaborate as time went on in Medieval art. They valued the spiritual beauty of the text and the material beauty of the books they created to spread their message.

Dura-Europos​

a Syrian city ruled by Rome 166-256, when destroyed. Preserves a Synagogue painted with scenes from the Old Testament (c. 240) and the earliest Christian church (a simple house). Last has a room used as a Baptistery (c. 230) painted with scenes of the Good Shepherd with Adam and Eve (in the lunette over the font), and the three Marys at the empty tomb and other scenes on the side wall.

Onion dome

a bulbous, pointed dome frequently seen in byzantine architecture

Halo

a church having a circular plan with the altar in the middle

mausoleum

a huge tomb

basilica Plan

a large, rectangular building often built with a clerestory, side aisles separated from the center nave by colonnades, and an apse at one or both ends

ambulatory

a place for walking, especially an aisle around the apse or a cloister in a church or monastery.

cubicula

a small private room for burials in a catacomb

cosmatesque

a style of geometric decorative inlay stonework typical of the architecture of Medieval Italy, and especially of Rome and its surroundings, and derived from that of the Byzantine Empire. It was used most extensively for the decoration of church floors, but was also used to decorate church walls, pulpits, and bishop's thrones.flourished in Rome during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries and practiced the art of mosaic. The Cosmati work has this peculiarity, that it is a glass mosaic used in combination with marble. At times it is inlaid on the white marble architraves of doors, on the friezes of cloisters, the flutings of columns, and on sepulchral monuments.

Codex

an unbound manuscript of some ancient classic (as distinguished from a scroll)

Catacomb

an underground room used as a burial site

Central plan

any structure designed with a primary central space surrounded by symmetrical areas on each side.

Paris Psalter

book of Psalms, figures and landscape based on classical models, brilliant and balanced color, dynamic contrast between muscular bodies and stiff drapery, David playing harp, personification of Echo, muscular, classically inspired, arcs and curves dominate composition, Jewel-like border

Sol Invictus

literally means "The Unconquered Sun" the name of a solar god who was featured on the back of Constantine's coins the Roman state-supported sun god created by the emperor Aurelian in 274 AD and continued, overshadowing other Eastern cults in importance

Daphni

monastery church near Athens decorated with mosaics ca. 1080-1100 in a classicizing style (Crucifixion). Notable for its severe Pantokrator in the dome. Artists were from Constantinople.

Saint Michael Ivory

early 6th century, ivory .one leaf of an ivory diptych .roman coiffure, classical drapery, facial type .spatial ambiguity .body articulated beneath drapery

Vellum

fine parchment prepared from the skin of a young animal e.g. a calf or lamb

illusionistic

form of Surrealism; the metamorphoses of the dream state in a highly illusionistic manner. Led by Salvador Dali and René Margritte.

Apostles

the 12 chosen disciples of Jesus who spread his teachings

Nave

the central area of a church

Byzantium

the civilization that developed from the eastern Roman Empire following the death of the emperor Justinian (C.E. 565) until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

St. Sergius

the most important monk in russias monastic system. as he never abandoned the dily routine of living an ascetic life

Theodora

the wife of Justinian, she helped to improve the status of women in the Byzantinian Empire and encouraged her husband to stay in Constntinople and fight the Nike Revolt.

deesis

traditional iconic representation of Christ in Majesty: enthroned, carrying a book, and flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist

Chi-ro

witnessed by Constantine before battle, ordered to paint on soldiers' shields

Parchment

writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat

attribute

(n.) a quality or characteristic belonging to or associated with someone or something; (v.) to assign to, credit with; to regard as caused by or resulting from

Harbaville Triptych

950, ivory .individualized heads, frontality broken up by slight turns; sharp crisp lines; hieratic composition;jewel like delicacy of carving; figures same size, dressed alike, symmetrically arranged

anular vault

A Barrel vault springing from two concentric walls.

Eucharist

A Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper by consecrating bread and wine.

Anthemius

Architects of the Hagia Sophia. (St. Sophia, Constantinople)

Ivan the Terrible

(1533-1584) earned his nickname for his great acts of cruelty directed toward all those with whom he disagreed. He became the first ruler to assume the title Czar of all Russia.

Old Testament Trinity

1410, tempera on wood Andrei Rüblev .poses are mirror images;luminous appeal of colors;extensive use of gold;nearly spaceless background

Saint Mark's, Venice

1063 .five domes placed in a cross pattern windows at base of dome illuminate brilliant mosaics that cover every wall space above 1st floor .figures are weightless in a field of gold mosaics .compartmentalized space of middle byzantine architecture (contrast with hagia sophia... more or less open?) .contains relics of saint mark

Monreale: Pantocrater

1180 CE .mosaics arranged in elaborate hierarchy w/ Jesus on top .solidity of figure, monumental scale .severeness and awesome grandeur

Mystery cults

A group of Greco-Roman religions that focused on the devotees' individual needs both in this life and in life after death, so named because their initiation rituals and cultic practices involved the disclosure of hidden things that were to be kept secret from others. Those who were a part of a mystery cult did not appear to have claimed that their god was the only true god or goddess; instead, theirs was the only one for them. Those who wished to join were typically put through a period of ceremonial cleansing (involving fastings, prayers, and sometimes ritual washings) and instruction prior to being admitted to the ranks of devotees. Those who experienced the initiation and who could then join in the ceremonies were they were periodically celebrated felt at greater peace with themselves and the world. Each of the mystery cults was different; each had its own special location and its own customs and rituals. Many of them were centered around a mythology of the death and resurrection of a god or goddess, a mythology ultimately rooted in ancient fertility religion. There was a promise of a more satisfying life now in addition to a more blissful afterlife.

Junius Bassus

A member of the senatorial family. He converted to Christianity before he died and had a sarcophagus made for him

Christ

A monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior. Although initially it was seen as a bizarre cult and was violently persecuted, eventually it gained acceptance and in the 300s became the official religion of the Roman state.

narthex

A porch or vestibule of a church, generally colonnaded or arcaded and preceding the nave

Apse

A recess, usually semicircular, in the wall of a Roman basilica or at the east end of a church.

iconostasis

A screen of partition with doors and tiers of the icons that separates the bema, the raised part of the church with the altar, from the nave, the main part of the church, in Eastern Churches

transept

A transept (with two semitransepts) is a transverse section, of any building, which lies across the main body of the building. In churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture.

Bema

A transverse open space separating the nave and the apse of an early Christian church, developing into the transept of later cruciform churches.

Sinai

AKA Horeb; the eared mountain where Yahweh appeared to Moses, and to which he led the Israelites after their flight from Egypt; the sit of Yahweh's revelation of his instruction (torah). In the J and P traditions, the mountain is called Sinai, whereas E and D call it Horeb

Squinch

An architectural device used as a transition from a square to a polygonal or circular base for a dome. It may be composed of lintels, corbels, or arches.

Apse mosaic

An extension or projection from a building, generally circular or polygonal

pendentive

An inverted, concave, triangular piece of masonry serving as the transition from a square support system to the circular base of a dome.

Atrium

An open courtyard at the west end of a building, usually surrounded by covered aisles. The atrium of the Early Christian church was originally a place for the catechumens to wait during the celebration of the Eucharist.

Virgin of Vladamir

Artist: unknown Date: 12th century Medium: tempura on wood/icon Period: Byzantine Historical Importance: Features the conventional iconic image of the Virgin Mary and the Christ child, derived from pre-iconoclasm icons. This icon, however, shows compassion between mother and child with their touching cheeks, and Mary's sad, partially-closed and expressionless eyes give her a contemplative and pained look, suggesting her son's future.

Daphne: Crucifixion

Artist: unknown Date: late 11th century Medium: mosaic Period: Byzantine Historical Importance: The style combines the simple, statuesque qualities of the classical with the flat, linear Byzantine style.

Skopjie: Lamentation

Artist: unknown Date: late 11th century Medium: mosaic Period: Byzantine Historical Importance: This mosaic, which is on the dome ceiling of the Church of Dormition, represents Christ as the "Ruler of All" and final judge over the worshippers.

Justinian

Byzantine emperor in the 6th century A.D. who reconquered much of the territory previously ruler by Rome, initiated an ambitious building program , including Hagia Sofia, as well as a new legal code

Ravenna

Capital in Western Roman Empire, more strategic than Rome, easily accessible by sea from Constantinople and gave access to Rhine frontier (area of greatest military urgency)

Catacombs of Peter and Marcellinus

Christ's physical form is based on Greco-Roman models, Christ with sheep in a circle, four lines allude to crucifixion, lunettes with scenes from Old Testament.

Chora: Anastasis

Church of Christ in Chora, Istanbul, Turkey 1310-1320 Late Byzantine More classical than the other one. Has a mandorla

Greek cross plan

Church plan with a square central mass and four arms of equal length; Popularized in the Byzantine architectural style

Dormition

Comes from the Latin word meaning "to sleep." As relating to the Virgin Mary, it refers to the notion that Mary fell asleep when assumed into Heaven as opposed to having entered death. The Church teaching refers to her being taken up to Heaven in body and soul but does not touch on whether she passed or slept in the Lord.

St. Helena

Constantine's mother (died 330), a devout Christian who built churches in Rome and the Holy Land, including the Shrine of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem (ca. 325-350).

Junius Bassus Sarcophagus

Date: 359 CE. Rome Material: Marble Description: The Sarcophagus is for a roman prefect who converted from paganism to Christianity. The images depict the old and new testament in separate sections on the front. The Sarcophagus is only carved on 3 sides because it is meant to be pushed up against a wall.

Saint Apollinare in Classe

Early Christian Medium: mosaic Location: Ravenna Patron: Justinian Purpose: dedicated to St. Apollonaire, 1st bishop of Ravenna where Saint Appolinaris rested and was venerated Christ as pantocrator basilica plan stiff naturalism no gallery 12 sheep=disciples 3 sheep in middle=Peter, John, James John, Matthew, Mark, Luke on top The end of the period of Justinianic Ravenna closes with the Church of Sant'Appollinare in Classe, a few miles from Ravenna, where the hieratic style of Byzantine reaches a standard and is also a point of departure

Theodosius

Emperor of the Roman Empire who made Christianity the official religion of the empire.

Mary

Jesus' mother who was called the Mother of the Church when Jesus died on the cross

Theodoric

King of Ostrogoths, One of the barbarian leaders in the West; was the king of a Goth tribe and took over the rule of Italy; allowed religious freedom.

Period of Recognition

Once Constantine accepted Christianity

Hagia Sophia

Period: 6th c. CE Definition: Masterpiece of Byzantine architecture in Istanbul; built as a Christian church by Justinian, converted to a mosque in 1453, and made into a museum in the middle of the 20th century. Example of early christian church architecture, central plan basilica, round or square based on a greek cross. (The pantheon in rome has a similar floor plan). Uses squinches and pendentives as part of the support structure of the dome.

Tomb of Galla Placidia

Period: Early Christian Medium: brick outside, mosaic inside Location: Ravenna, Italy Purpose: mausoleum of empress Galla Placidia (daughter of Theodosius I), honors her after abduction of 5 years by Alaric Period: 425 CE Byzantine, Ravenna Italy Description: Typical of Roman, outside unadorned, functional. Focus on interior: philosophical discussion of decoration of soul vs. body - Fusion of central plan and axial plan - Glass mosaic of starry sky - Since this is a Mausoleum, there is sarcophagus in this building. Exterior was unadorned, but mosaics used to show Christian path to redemption. One of the mosaics is of the good Shepard, Chirst appears with the nimbus (halo) around his head, the gold and purple cloak signifies royalty. Holding a cross. 3D figures cast a shadow.

San Vitale

Ravenna, Itally c. 540 Patterned marble interior and mosaics Depicts Jesus in an Appolionic nature

Parting of Lot and Abraham

The parting of Abraham and Lot, nave of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy, 432-440. Mosaic The parting of Abraham and Lot is a mosaic panel and it is the decoration of the wall of Santa Maria Maggiore, which is one of the most prominent basilican churches in Rome. It represents good and evil as we can see there are two teams of people and they are choosing opposite paths; in fact, this story is about Abraham and his nephew, Lot. The person who is on the left hand side of the mosaic, is called Abraham. He leads the people to Canaan because the God asked him to. And his nephew Lot chooses another path to Sodom. The parting of Abraham and Lot is a tesserae mosaic. Most of the tesserae works in the late antiquity period were made by small pieces of marble. Artists in this period would cut marble or limestone into shape and rearranged them for the artwork.

Formal elements

The seven basic building blocks of visual art: line, shape, form, texture, value, space, and color

Annunciation

The visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to announce to her that she is to be the mother of the savior

Kremlin

This is a fortified complex in central Moscow. It has been the home to many Russian governments throughout history.

Kiev

capital of medieval Russia and of present-day Ukraine

Sergiev Posad​

city in North Moscow Oblast, which is famous for its Troitse-Sergiev Monastery, the spiritual home of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is often visited as a part of the Golden Ring around Moscow.

Intercession Cathedral

commissioned by Ivan the Terrible, tall slender pyramid-like central tower crowned by small onion-shaped dome, central spire, low flat rounded arches, 1555-1561

Isidorus

one of the two main Byzantine Greek architects that Emperor Justinian I commissioned to design the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople from 532-537 A.D.

Gallery

place for art exhibitions

Cushion capital

square on top and rounded at the bottom, served as transitional forms between the angular springing of the arches and the round columns supporting them