Early Christian and Byzantine Art and Architecture IMPORTANT CULTURAL and POLITICAL EVENTS: 33 CE Jesus Christ is Crucified CE Christianity spreads among lower Roman classes, Roman persecution of Christians (similar to the later Inquisition of Jews) Christians worshipped in catacombs. 313 CE Constantine issues Edict of Milan granting religious tolerance (particularly to Christians) 325 CE Council of Nicaea (Turkey) 330 CE Establishment of Byzantium (Eastern Roman capital) 410 CE Rome is sacked by Visigoths, 476 CE Goths sack Rome 527 CE Justinian rules Eastern Roman Empire 6 th -7 th Centuries CE Epidemics devastate populace, Empire in decline. Classical gives way to Eastern Orthodox.

Early Christian Sarcophagus Santa Maria Antiqua, Rome, circa 300CE, marble Figures wear Roman clothing Jonah reclining in Classical pose Muse has hands raised in prayer framed by trees (cross) Seated poet reading religious text Shepherd John the Baptist with miniature Jesus Left = Old Testament, Right = New dark vs light, evil vs good becomes a left/right convention

Old Saint Peter’s Basilica /ReconOldSaintPeter.jpg Nave Gabled roof Alter in the Apse east Narthex at west Triumphal arch frames apse Modelled after a basilica/forum Transepts form cruciform Christ crucified in apse Christ as judge Syncretism

San Vitale Ravenna 547 CE Buttress Central dome Ravenna – center of Justinian’s Empire Central plan – Eastern convention Alter (sanctuary) on the eastern side of the church Buttresses support outward thrust Exterior is simple brick ter-8:-Early-Christian-and- Byzantine-Arthttp://t771unit2.pbworks.com/Chap ter-8:-Early-Christian-and- Byzantine-Art GREAT SITE!!!!

San Vitale Ravenna Interior Gallery Apse Mosaic and marble interior – lots of light! Gallery may have been reserved for women Alter (sanctuary) on the eastern side of the church Nave is circular under dome, ambulatory is equivalent of side aisles Clerestory windows third story for additional light ter-8:-Early-Christian-and- Byzantine-Arthttp://t771unit2.pbworks.com/Chap ter-8:-Early-Christian-and- Byzantine-Art GREAT SITE!!!! Clerestory Windows Nave Sanctuary (altar)

San Vitale Ravenna Mosaics Mosaic tesserae are a sandwich of glass tiles and gold leaf Tesserae placed in irregular tilt to reflect light in a glittering manner Christ w/o beard is the Western (Apollo-like) version Bishop who commissioned work on right, Saint church is named for on left Lack of perspective and limited naturalism Gold background creates spiritual plane Apse Mosaic

San Vitale Ravenna Mosaics Court of Justinian

San Vitale Ravenna Mosaics Court of Theodora

Throne of Maximiam, CE Ivory over wood Nativity detail (left) John the Baptist detail (far left) Syncretistic details: oratory hand gestures, togas,etc…

Hagia Sophia, 537 CE Constantinople*Dome is brick – buttresses surround the dome windows Name means “Holy Wisdom” *Largest domed space to date Dome sits directly on pendentives – no drum *Minarets added in 1453 CE

Hagia Sophia, 537 CE Lunettes have windows to allow light (5 over teo rows of seven) Forty dome windows allow light from every angle First floor collanades Second floor galleries Outer walls are not load-bearing and are called screen walls as they are pierced by many windows. Not a church for public use – Justinian’s personal worship space Commissioning works like this proved Justinian’s role of Christ’s representative on earth.

San Vitale and Hagia Sophia Columns Change in Capitals from Classical Minimal use of some classical details

Vienna Genesis Joseph Interptreting Dreams Joseph and Potipher’s Wife CODEX: a book, bound on one side, pages made or parchment or vellum (sheep or calf skin) Purple pages = royal patron Registers are a running narrative or multiple events

Icon of St. Peter 6 th or 7 th century, encaustic on wood panel ICON: Painting intended to be a devotional object. Usually a panel painting Other paintings may have iconic imagery but are decorative not devotional. Three tondos represent (from left) John the Evangelist, Christ, and Mary St. Peter was crucified – the tondos are people present at Christ’s crucifixion, and the cross also represents that event… Encaustic: Wax, resin, and pigment melted and applied to an artwork

St. Basil’s Cathedral Moscow, Russia, Onion Dome: protected the dome from accumulating snow Commissioned by Ivan the Terrible Commemorates a military victory Facets and grooves on the domes acted like Byzantine tesserae – reflecting light Central plan, Greek cross (4 equal arms) octagonal with eight side chapels