Byzantine Art (600-800)

Emperor Justinian and Courtiers, c. 547, San Vitale, Ravenna

Roman Catholic vs. Eastern Orthodox Religions

• The split of the empire also causes a religious rift, creating the Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East.

• Church ideology becomes very different. Catholic Church remains separate from the state. Sees itself as a spiritual ruling body. The Orthodox Church was based on the union of spiritual and secular authority in the emperor. Had political power. Like the divine kingship of Egypt and Mesopotamia. Emperors were at the head of the Church as well as the State.

Byzantine Art • Byzantine art is the art of the Eastern Roman Empire and

describes a certain style.

• Byzantium stays under remains under the emperor’s control.

• Brought to a new level of power and stability under Justinian (527—565AD)

• The Eastern Empire of Byzantium hangs on even through attacks by Arabian armies until it falls to the Turks in 1453. Lasts up to the Renaissance!

Political and Spiritual Leaders in the East and West

• West--Theodoric (German) as political leader

• West--pope as spiritual leader

• East--Justinian as both spiritual and political leader

• Justinian retains idea of Emperor as partly divine

Early Christian ChurchesSan Vitale, Ravenna, c. 526-547

Interior of San Vitale

Squinches

Hagia Sophia

• 523-537 AD

• Built by Justinian in Constantinople

• Combination of central plan and early Christian basilica

Interior, Hagia Sophia

Pendentives

Restoring Hagia Sophia

Byzantine Mosaics

Emperor Justinian and Courtiers, c. 547, San Vitale, Ravenna

Empress Theodora and Retinue, c. 547, San Vitale, Ravenna

Early Christian vs. Byzantine

Characteristics of Byzantine Art• Flattened, symbolic, (heavenly) space (gold backgrounds

common)• Shapes and figures show continuing trend toward shallow

space• Details are described by line, not light and shade• Elongated proportions• Dematerialized bodies with strong emphasis on the eyes• Ornate haloes (fr. Persia - designating descent from the

Sun)• Narrative is created by flat, symbolic shapes, lined up

Earlier Greek Mosaics and Painting vs. Byzantine Mosaics

Iconoclasm

• Iconoclastic Controversy• Began with edict of 726 prohibiting

religious images• Emperor Leo III, after Justinian, strictly

interpreted the Ten Commandments• Finally ended in 843 by a later Empress

Theodora, wife of Emperor Theophilus• Iconodules triumphed

Byzantine Icons

• During the 9th century, religions icons became an important part of the Eastern Orthodox Church

• Become very symbolic, using specific iconography

• Icons used as objects of devotion• Icons become more and more abstract and

stylized

Byzantine Icons

6th century 13th century 14th century

Icons of Mary, Saints, and Angels

14th century10th century 14th century

Icons made of other materials

1350 9th century

Christ in Art

The Good Shepherd, c. 4th c. AD. Catacomb of Saints Pietro and Marcellino, Rome.