Byzantine Art Review
OVERVIEW
Period Covered: 500 C.E. - 1400s C.E., spanning over nine centuries of distinct artistic and architectural developments within the Byzantine Empire.
Significant Works of Art:
Vienna Genesis: An early 6th-century illuminated manuscript, exceptionally valuable for its fusion of classical and early Byzantine stylistic elements, primarily depicting biblical narratives like:
a. Jacob Wrestling the Angel: Illustrates a dynamic, narrative scene with classical influences in figure representation and drapery.
b. Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well: Features continuous narration, showing multiple events within a single frame, a common technique in ancient scroll painting adapted for the codex format.
San Vitale (Church): Located in Ravenna, Italy, a masterpiece of early Byzantine architecture, renowned for its centralized plan and extensive mosaics depicting imperial and religious figures, including:
a. Justinian and Attendants: A mosaic portraying Emperor Justinian as a central figure, emphasizing his authority as both a secular and spiritual leader, connecting his reign to divine will.
b. Theodora and Attendants: The companion mosaic to Justinian's, depicting Empress Theodora with her court, notable for its rich detail, imperial regalia, and symbolic gestures.
Hagia Sophia (Church): A monumental architectural achievement in Constantinople, originally a church, later a mosque, and now a museum, famed for its innovative dome construction and luminous interior.
a. Theotokos Mosaic: Represents the Virgin Mary (Theotokos) holding Christ, a key iconographic image signifying the Mother of God, often found in the apse of Byzantine churches.
b. Deesis Mosaic: A powerful late Byzantine mosaic depicting Christ Pantocrator flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist, interceding on behalf of humanity, notable for its emerging naturalism.
Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George: An iconic encaustic painting from the Monastery of Saint Catherine, Mount Sinai, demonstrating key early Byzantine icon characteristics and reverence for sacred images.
Total Number of Works of Art: 4 distinct identified works with notable sub-sections, each representing significant contributions to Byzantine art history.
BYZANTINE EMPIRE CONTEXT
Timeframe of Byzantine Empire: Mid-6th century until 1453 C.E., tracing its roots back to the Roman Empire's eastern division and lasting over a millennium.
Capital: Constantinople, founded on the strategic site of ancient Byzantium, served as the spiritual, political, and cultural heart of the empire.
Creation Date of Constantinople: From 330 C.E., established by Emperor Constantine I as Nova Roma ("New Rome") and swiftly becoming a major center of power and wealth.
Important Events:
330 C.E.: Foundation of Constantinople, signifying the shift of imperial focus eastward and the establishment of a new Christian capital.
1204-1261: Latin Occupation (Fourth Crusade), a devastating period when Western European crusaders sacked Constantinople, established a Latin Empire, and profoundly weakened the Byzantine state.
1453: Ottoman Turks conquer Constantinople, marking the definitive end of the Byzantine Empire and the rise of the Ottoman Empire.
Divisions in Byzantine Art: Byzantine art evolved through distinct phases, each with characteristic styles and developments:
Early Byzantine: c. 330-843, characterized by monumental imperial and religious art, often influenced by Roman traditions but developing its own spiritual focus. This period includes the reign of Justinian I and the construction of major basilicas and the Hagia Sophia.
Middle Byzantine: c. 843-1204, following the resolution of the Iconoclastic Controversy, marked by a resurgence of icon painting, mosaic art, and architectural innovation, often referred to as a