BYZANTINE ART(330–1453)

In 330 A.D., the first Christian ruler of the Roman empire, Constantine the Great transferred the ancient imperial capital from Rome to the city of Byzantium located on the easternmost territory of the European continent, at a major intersection of east-west trade.

BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The emperor renamed this ancient port city Constantinople.

The Western Empire fell in 400’s with an invasion from the northern Germanic Tribes.

While, the Byzantium Empire (Eastern section) stayed in tact over a years longer, till the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Constantinople was renamed by the Turks Istanbul, which is the name it bears to this day.

The majority of the art in this period and place were created for the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Eastern Orthodox Church

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, the world's tallest Orthodox church.

CHARACTERIST

ICS

OF

BYZANTINE ART

Most important church of time

octagonal plan, central dome is larger and richer in spatial effects

Basilica of San Vitale

Plan, S. Vitale

The Basicilican plan is almost gone-domed central axis churches dominated the east while the Basilican plan dominated the west

Below the Cleritory, nave wall is a series of niches of at enter into aisle, linking them together

Aisle has been given a second story, large windows in every level

Interior, S. Vitale

Ideal of human beauty is much different than 4th and 5th century short, squat figures

Now slim and tall, tiny feet, small almond-shaped faces, huge starring eyes, bodies are used only for displaying costumes, not moving-eternal present rather than action

Emperor Justinian and Attendents, c. 547. S. Vitale

Interior reflects the tall, slenderness of the figures of mosaics

Altar, S. Vitale

Hagia Sophia, Instambul, 532-537

Most important monument of Justinian’s rule- “The Church of Holy Wisdom”

Architects- Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus (minerates were added after the Turkish conquest of 1453

Minarets

One of the minarets (at southwest) was built from red brick while the other three were built from white limestone and sand stone

All sense of weight disappears in the interior

Expanding, inflated space Light plays a key role Glitter of light and mosaic

create illusions of unreality

Interior, Hagia Sophia

Decorative marble columns were taken from ancient buildings and reused to support the interior arcades.

St. Mark’s, Venice, begun 1063

Largest and most lavishly decorated church of the 2nd golden age Venice was under Byzantine sovereignty Greek cross plan, each arm has its own 5-domed type Replication of the Church of the Holy Apostles at Constantinople

Byzantine visual art began with mosaics decorating the walls and domes of churches, as well fresco wall-paintings.

Fresco is a technique of mural painting executed upon freshly-laid, or wet lime plaster.

PAINTINGS

It was named “ The Vladimir Virgin” because of its location in Vladimir, which was the religious capital at that time.

The icon was painted, however, in Constantinople by a Hellenic iconographer .

Some time during the 11th and

12th centuries.

It turned up in Kiev, then the capital city of Russia, in 1131, when Byzantium was being ruled by the Macedonian dynasty. 

The Vladimir Virgin

A fresco painting from the church of Saint Panteleimon in Nerezi near Skopje, in the Republic of Macedonia It is considered a superb example of 12th century Komnenian art

'The Lamentation of Christ' (1164)

Fresco painting of the Birth of the Virgin, 1313–14.Studenica Monastery, Church of Saints Joachim and Anna, Kraljevo, Serbia.

Holding a model of the church and standing with his wife Simonis, 1313–14.Studenica Monastery, Church of Saints Joachim and Anna, Kraljevo, Serbia, fresco depicting King Stefan Uros II Milutin (r. 1282–1321)

SCULPTURE

A Byzantine masterpiece of ivory carving. Ivory reliefs were the main form of early Christian sculpture in Constantinople. The Barberini ivory is a Byzantine ivory leaf from an imperial diptych dating from Late Antiquity, now in the Louvre Museum in Paris. It represents the emperor as triumphant victor. 

Barberini Diptych (c.500-550)

 It was on display in the exonarthex of the Hagia Sophia.  It was originally located in the Church of the Pantocrator that was on the “fourth hill” of Constantinople.  It contained the remains of the Empress Eirene, the wife of the emperor John II Comnenus (A.D. 1118-1143).

Byzantine sarcophagus

ARCHITECTUREByzantine architecture inspired Arab architects, and this one can see in the

masterpieces of Spanish architecture. The famous are:

Alhambra Palace at Granada

Great Mosque of Cordoba

LEARNING

S

I learn that Byzantine empire was religious state. The empire was not only the ruler of his people but God’s representative on earth. The purpose of Byzantine art was to glorify the Christian religious and express its mystery. It filled with a kind of spiritual symbolism things on earth are meant to stand for the order of heaven. I was amazed on the style and designs on the churches. Some of churches in the Philippines actually influence Byzantine art like Dauis church was influenced by Byzantine and Romanesque architecture. On its ceilings were frescoes painted by church artist Ray Francia in 1916. But it is sad to know that this work of art was collapsed and damaged during 2013 Bohol 7.2 magnitude earthquake. I was been part of cultural and historical importance of this church that there was significance function and relation of every details in arts.

 

Prepared by:Ybañez, Ma. Jennifer

Prepared by:Garcia, Michelle

I learn that the Byzantine art made great contribution on the civilization. The Empire, a bastion of Christianity and one of the prime trade centers in the world, helped to shield Western Europe from early Muslim expansion. They preserved much of the literary works and scientific knowledge of ancient Greece, Rome, and many other cultures. Their literary works were Hymns and devotionals. It influence us in the Philippines the culture and faith. Also in arts that uses different techniques and styles of architectures in different churches.

Prepared by:Montero, Kaitlyn Grace D.

My insights is I realize that this art will always remain because of the discovery. I understand that their achievement were the monumental inside the domed churches. Now, I can see and relate on how important the architectures in many churches. The very best example of this is the Saint Catherines Monastery of Mount Sinai were I can see the picture how old it is and how important it is in the work of an art.