Byzantine Art and Architecture

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Byzantine Art and Architecture
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Pendentive Supports in the shape of concave
triangle used to hold up the dome
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Byzantine Art and Architecture

• Dedicated to glorifying the state and emperors
• Spread Christian message
• Byzantine style drew from Greek, Roman and
  oriental sources
• Greco-Roman columns, arches, vaults, domes
• Oriental ornamentation and color

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Goal of Religious Art

• To create an atmosphere of splendor comparable to
  the glory of heaven
• Use or gold and rich colors
• Glass tesserae
• The icon shares the likeness and therefore the
  sanctity of the sacred person portrayed
• Through veneration an icon image becomes a window
  through which the worshiper gains access to the
  sacred figure portrayed

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Main Dome Hagia Sophia
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• Christ
• Pantocrator
• (Ruler of All)

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Detail of Mosaic
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Hagia SophiaMany later Byzantine churches
adopted this trademark dome
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Dome of the sanctuary
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Detail of ceiling mosaic
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Secular Art

• The emperor is shown in the presence of Christ to
  validate his supreme powers
• The emperor is shown in formal poses displaying
  royal regalia, often surrounded by members of his
  court
• Long robe
• Red shoes
• On dias raised above others
• Carries scepter or scroll

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Justinian
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• Mosaic of Empress Theodora
• (Wearing a halo)
• Pendulia sign of royalty

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Byzantine art shows both figurative and geometric
design
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San Vitale, Ravenna
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Interior
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Ravenna, mosaic, c. 545/46, tesserae (cubes) of
colored glass and stone
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Iconoclastic Controversy726-843

• Emperor Leo III ordered the removal and
  destruction of all religious images
• Images blasphemous and idolatrous
• Only surviving art through efforts of monasteries

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Mount Athos
A total of 20 Monasteries build on the Holy
Island Monastery of Vatopedion founder
Theodosius, 4th C
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Entrance to the Monastery
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One of few mosaics that survived the Iconoclastic
controversy
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General Characteristics

• Full frontal presentation
• Large staring eyes
• 2 dimensional rendering
• Figures float in space
• Elongated figures (particularly the hands)
• Disproportionate relationship of figures
• Jesus drawn as small man, but presented as a
  child

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Theotokos God Bearer
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Zoe and Constantine IX
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Late Byzantine Very similar to Early Periods
no major changes
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14th century dome mosaic
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Leaf from Lectionary
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Mosaic Pantocrator
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Crucifixion scenes were rare
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Contemporary Icons
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