Early Christian Architecture and Design Byzantine, Romanesque & Gothic

For Fun … ENJOY this class http://architexts.us/2015/04/29/paint-colors-ii/

Early Christian Architecture Follows Roman Architecture (Rectangular and Circular plans)

Early Christian Architecture Chronology: 284-305 – Emperor Diocletian divide the Roman Empire (West and East)

Eastern & Western Roman Empire

Early Christian Architecture Chronology: 306 – Constantine becomes Emperor of the World

Early Christian Architecture Chronology: 313 – Christianity recognized as religion (ordered churches to be built – Baptism and celebration of mass called for a new type of bldg.) 326 – Christianity - official religion of the Empire Constantine's conversion, as imagined by Rubens

Early Christian Architecture Chronology: 330 – Capital moved from Rome to Byzantium (Constantinople)

Early Christian Architecture Chronology: 476 – Fall of the Roman Empire 14 th c – Byzantine Empire taken by the Turks and Islamic religion

Byzantine Architecture San Vitale Central plan (function / liturgy) Inner domed octagon Plain exteriors Contrast with Splendid interiors

San Vitale Ambulatory Crossing Narthex Christian CHURCHES Became a place where people congregate to watch and participate in religious rites. Ambulatory Crossing Narthex

Impost capital and dosseret S. Vitale, Ravenna Italy “Block” Capital Base of arch (note: no entablature – arch rests directly on capital) Dosseret (transition from capital to square base of arcade) Impost capital Carved capitals – animal forms Note transition from square to round

San Vitale INTERIORS – color, light and precious materials; frescos, mosaics; gilding Every surface - Richly decorated

San Vitale MOSAICS: Emperor Justinian and His Attendants Empress Theodora and Her Attendants Mosaics are brilliantly colorful and decorative and also serve to illustrate the history of church . Backed with gold or silver leafing – reflect LIGHT

Hagia Sophia 532-7 AD Minaret’s are a later addition and typical of Islamic architecture. http://ed.ted.com/lessons/it-s-a-church-it-s-a-mosque-it-s-hagia-sophia-kelly-wall

Hagia Sophia 532-7 AD Byzantine Architecture: Structural solutions of dome bldg to cover polygonal base (allows combinations of dome bldgs) Decorative system for these structures (patterned stucco & tiles) Integration of plan and liturgy – central focus Unity of Structure + Decoration + Function

Hagia Sophia 532-7 AD PENDENTIVES are used to solve to problem of setting a dome on a non-curved base (square base)

St. Mark’s, Venice 1042-10454AD

St. Mark’s, Venice 1042-1045AD

St. Mark’s, Venice 1042-1045AD Domes Greek Cross Plan Semi circular apse One central dome Narthex- “vestibule”

St. Mark’s, Venice 1042-1045AD

St. Mark’s, Venice 1042-1045AD

St. Mark’s, Venice 1042-1045AD