byzantine art (500-1453 and beyond)

introduction

- medieval architecture is mostly religious - the Byzantine Empire produced lavish works of art for a splendid court that resided in Constantinople- one of the most resplendent cities in history - small relief carvings used for personal devotion and glittering mosaics on the walls of churches became popular ways to evoke the glory of heaven

San Vitale Ravenna, Italy. Early Byzantine Europe. c. 526-547 C.E. Brick, marble, and stone veneer; mosaic

- this is a typical Byzantine centralized church that has an octagonal plan, with a two-story ambulatory enclosing a central space beneath a large cupola. attached to the west side is a narthex with a small choir and apse attached to the eastern side - it was begun when the area was under pagan Goth rule and completed when the Byzantine Empire retook Italy. the mosaics are a testament to the change in leadership - the apse mosaic shows Jesus in the early Christian style (youthful and clean-shaven) sitting on the sphere of the world and holding San Vitalis, who was martyred on the site, a martyr's crown. also pictured are bishop Ecclesius, who , inspired by the churches he saw during a trip to Byzantium, began the construction of the church while the area was still under Goth rule. -the Justinian panel mosaic is a visual testament to Justinian's religious, administrative, and military authority over the entire empire and especially over re-conquered lands. He is positioned to the right of Jesus, crowned and wearing the purple imperial robe of Ancient Rome with a halo around his head. - on the left is Bishop Maximianus, who consecrated the church, along with the nearby church of Sant Apollinare Nuovo. On Justinian's right are members of the imperial court with a group of soldiers, one of whom holds a shield with a chi-rho symbol on it, all alluding to Justinian's role as the head of church, state, and military - Justinian holds the bowl and bread of the Eucharist, while the clergy carry a censer, a gospel book, and a cross. Justinian's humble gesture can be seen as an act of deference to Jesus, the only authority higher than himself, who appears in the adjacent apse mosaic. - the Theodora panel depicts Justinian's empress, who was originally employed as a courtesan and actress. she is depicted holding the communion cup, completing the Eucharist ceremony. The three magi embroidered on her robe visually link the Emperor and Empress to the biblical kings who brought gifts to the baby Jesus -she is placed directly across from Justinian yet slightly off center. Her position, along with the inclusion of a pulled-back curtain, symbolize her inability to take part in certain church rituals reserved for men - the commissioning of this mosaic was a continuation of the Roman propaganda tradition. Many scholars believe that Justinian and Theodora never actually visited San Vitale - the use of gold and the non-realistic space taken up by the figures are both typical of the Byzantine style.

Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well and Jacob Wrestling the Angel, from the Vienna Genesis Early Byzantine Europe. Early sixth century C.E. Illuminated manuscript

- this is the oldest well-preserved illuminated manuscript - the pages are calfskin dyed with imperial purple and decorated with silver ink - written in Greek, this manuscript was probably produced in modern-day Syria or Israel - the pages are from a once-complete book of Genesis with the text written above the illustrations - the illustrations make use of continuous narration - the style of the paintings exemplifies the transition from the idealized realism of the ancient Greek world to the spiritual and symbolic style of the Middle Ages evident in the clear emphasis on the narrative and symbolic aspects of the painting rather than on realism

Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George Early Byzantine Europe. Sixth or early 7th century CE. Encaustic on wood

-. i. The Monastery of Saint Catherine, built during the reign of Justinian, is located in Egypt, at the place believed by Christians to be where God appeared to Moses. -ii. It is the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery, built on the site of the Chapel of the Burning Bush, which was constructed during the time of Constantine. - iii. According to the Koran, a letter of protection was given to the monastery by Mohammed. When Arab armies conquered the territory, early in the 7th century, this was the only Christian site spared. iv. In early representations, Mary was given the title of Theotokos, or god-bearer by Eastern Christians. -v. In this icon, Mary is depicted as the physical embodiment of the throne of wisdom with the infant Jesus on her lap. -vi. In typical Byzantine fashion she is the symbol of purity, with large eyes, a small mouth, and her hair and body concealed beneath a blue robe. vii. The angels depicted behind the four holy people look upward toward the heavenly world.

Hagia Sophia Consantinople (Istanbu). Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus. 532-537 C.E. Brick and ceramic elements with stone and mosaic veneer.

-In 532, Emperor Justinian asked his imperial architects and mathematicians, Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus, to design a fireproof church to replace the 200-year-old one, originally built by Emperor Constantine, that had twice burned down. ii. --They used classical Roman construction methods to build a rectangular nave covered by a dome, which is just slightly smaller than that of the Pantheon in Rome, and which is carried on pendentives, which were a major architectural innovation conceived by Byzantine architects. - iii. The interior is heavily decorated with mosaics. -iv. For almost 1,000 years, the Hagia Sophia was the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople. Under the Ottoman Turks it became a mosque in 1453, and minarets were constructed on the outside of the structure. -v. On the inside, some of the Christian mosaics were replaced by Arabic inscriptions while others were left intact. -vi. In 1935, it became a museum of the Turkish Republic. The government of Turkey is debating converting the structure back into a church or possibly a mosque.

theotokos

The Virgin Mary in her role as the Mother of God

cathedral

The major church of a diocese, where the bishop has his seat

central plan

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

Axial plan (Basilican plan, Longitudinal plan)

a church with a long nave whose focus is the apse, so-called because it is designed along an axis

pendentive

a construction shaped like a triangle that transitions the space between flat walls and the base of a round dome

chalice

a cup containing wine, used during a Christian service

mosaic

a decoration using pieces of stone, marble, or colored glass, called tesserae, that are cemented to a wall or a floor

icon

a devotional panel depicting a sacred image

codex

a manuscript book

paten

a plate, dish, or bowl used to hold the Eucharist at a Christian ceremony

cornice

a projecting ledge over a wall

Iconostasis

a screen decorated with icons, which separates the apse from the transept of a church

martyrium

a shrine built over a place of martyrdom or a grave of a martyred Christian saint

continuous narrative

a work of art that contains several scenes of the same story painted or sculpted in a single frame

After the fall of the Byzantine empire in 1453, its artistic tradition was carried on in: a) Turkey b) Russia c) Austria d) Spain

b) Russia

The ground plan of the Hagia Sophia suggests that: a) columns are used as decorative patterning rather than as internal supports b) it is a combination of a central and basilican plan c) the mihrab faces Mecca d) the Roman basilican type has bee altered to create side aisles

b) it is a combination of a central and basilican plan

The mosaics of Justinian and Theodora have been placed in San Vitale: a) to commemorate a state visit by the Emperor and Empress b) as a thank you for helping construct the building c) as stand-ins to symbolize their semidivine status as participants in the Mass d) because they were declared saints after they died

c) as stand-ins to symbolize their semidivine status as participants in the Mass

the hagia sophia was added to after its initial construction, including the: a) enlargement of windows b) development of rib vaults c) installation of underground catacombs d) addition of minarets

d) addition of minarets

Interior mosaic decoration is different in Late Antique and Byzantine buildings than in prior periods in that the ancient world: a) mosaicists used large blocks of stone rather than miniature pieces called tesserae b) tiles were made from glass, whereas Byzantine tiles were made of metal c) tiles depicted animals and vegetable forms; Byzantine mosaics depict people d) tiles are colored in flat pastel shades; Byzantine tiles glow with a use of gold and sparkling colors

d) tiles are colored in flat pastel shades; Byzantine tiles glow with a use of gold and sparkling colors

Genesis

first book of the bible that details creation, the flood, rebecca at the well, and jacob wrestling the angel, among other episodes

Eucharist

the bread sanctified by the priest at the Christian ceremony commemorating the Last Supper

squinch

the polygonal base of a dome that makes a transition from the round dome to a flat wall