Byzantine Empire Map

Byzantine, Islamic and Middle Ages Key Events 526 – 1204 Byzantine Era 526 – St Benedict Establishes Monasticism Reign of Eastern Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora 622 – Mohammed establishes Islam when fleeing from Mecca 700 – Traditional date of first book in English – Beowulf – Conquest of North Africa and Spain by Muslims/ Arab rule established in and around Mediterranean 726 – 843 – Iconoclasm – movement against the veneration (worship) of icons in Churches 768 – 814 – Reign of Charlemagne Dec. 25, 800 – Charlemagne becomes first Holy Roman Emperor – Vikings raid northern Europe, Muslims invade Mediterranean, Magyars invade in the East

Byzantine, Islamic and Middle Ages Key Events 800 – the book 1001 Arabian Nights first written 843 – restoration of the images to Eastern churches 1054 – Break between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church (The Great Schism) 1071 – Conquest of eastern Byzantine provinces by Seljuks – First Crusade called by Pope Urban II (Deus le volt!) – Era of the Crusades First branch of warrior monks established – The Knights Templar – soon followed by the Hospitallers and Teutonic Orders 1204 – Crusaders pillage Constantinople 1304 – Establishment of the Inquisition during the Albigensian Crusade in France 1453 – Fall of Constantinople to the Turks – end of Byzantine Era

Byzantine Art Characteristics Onion Domes Pointed Arches Gilded Mosaics Ornate interiors Patterned and inlaid floors Slim people with small feet Small almond shaped faces, huge eyes

Justinian as World Conqueror /(Barberini Ivory) 6 th century Rome, Italy Relief Sculpture Most successful Byzantine Emperor – almost reconquered entire Western Empire

Byzantine Art Hagia Sophia Istanbul, Turkey Architecture Artist: Anthemius and Isodorus Built under the direction of Justinian Largest church of its time; this is the first use of a dome with pendentives

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Byzantine Art San Vitale 526 – 547 Ravenna, Italy Architecture Typical octagonal shape occurs in Byzantine style, plain exterior, extravagant interiors

Byzantine Art Interior San Vitale 526 – 547 Ravenna, Italy Architecture/Mosaic The walls of the interior are covered from floor to ceiling with mosaics The amount of light and angle determines the colors and patterns you can see

Byzantine Art Justinian Mosaic 547 Ravenna, Italy Mosaic Byzantine mosaics are typically very colorful with a heavy use of gold – note Justinian has a halo (not a saint) He holds the bread (the host)

Byzantine Art Theodora Mosaic 547 Ravenna, Italy Mosaic Note the use of gold – note Theodora’s halo – she was no saint She carried the cup of wine

Sacrifice of Abel, Sacrifice of Melchisedech ca. 547 Ravenna, Italy Mosaic The bread and wine are on the altar as the ultimate sacrifice

Sant’Apollinare in Classe Ravenna, Italy Architecture Typical Byzantine Basilica style – plain exterior

Sant’Apollinare in Classe – Interior Ravenna, Italy Architecture/Mosaics Interior filled with mosaics and gold

Saint Apollinaris Amid Sheep Ravenna, Italy Mosaic Apse mosaic shows Saint Apollinaris and apostles below

Late Byzantine Art Madonna Enthroned 1270 Unknown provenance Painting Mix of western and eastern art traditions Presentation of Christ is Byzantine but symbol of blessing and angels in circles are western

Transfiguration of Jesus ca. 565 Mount Sinai, Egypt Mosaic Monastery is located on the famed Mountain Monastery of Saint Catherine

Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George, icon 6th or early 7th century Mount Sinai, Egypt Painting 2 ft. 3 in. x 1 ft. 7 3/8 in. Note shapes of bodies, heads and feet – typical Byzantine style

Katholikon and Church of the Theotokos Katholikon early 11th century, Church of the Theotokos, 10th century Hosios Loukas, Greece Architecture Typical of Greek Byzantine style – exterior more detailed than rest of Empire

Katholikon and Church of the Theotokos Plan

Nativity of Christ inside Katholikon 11 th c. Hosios Loukas, Greece Mosaic Art work was made to fit into the irregular shapes of the church

Baptism of Christ inside Katholikon 11 th c. Hosios Loukas, Greece Mosaic Note the water effect to disguise Christ’s nudity and create ripples

Pantocrator in the Church of the Dormition Daphni, Greece Mosaic Mosaics begin to use lots of gold as a background taking reality completely out of the art

Crucifixion in the Church of the Dormition Daphni, Greece Mosaic Considered the Byzantine mosaic masterpiece

Byzantine Art St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) Begun 1063 Architecture Venice, Italy The bell tower was rebuilt in 19 th century due to its collapse Basilica is typical Byzantine style – onion domes, mosaic decorations

Saint Mark’s Cathedral begun 1063 Venice, Italy Architecture Onion domes and mosaics over entrance – typical Byzantine style

Byzantine Art Interior of Saint Mark’s (San Marco) 1063 Venice, Italy Architecture/Mosaic Heavy use of gold mosaic Intricately decorated marble patterned floors In typical Byzantine style in Greek Cross plan Church was built for a large community

Byzantine Art God Creates Eve 1200 Venice, Italy Mosaic Mosaic work becomes very intricate with heavy use of gold, but style is still decayed Biblical stories were told in scenes like these

Pala d’Oro from Saint Mark’s Cathedral ca Venice, Italy Craftwork Made of gold cloisonné with precious stones Considered a masterwork of craftsmanship

Christ Pantocrater inside Cathedral at Monreale ca Monreale, Sicily, Italy Mosaic Sicily was part of the Byzantine Empire and felt its influence heavily

David composing the Psalms/ Paris Psalter ca Undetermined origination Illuminated Manuscript Best example of Byzantine Illuminated Manuscripts from a period known as the Macedonian Renaissance

Anastasis ca Constantinople, (Istanbul), Turkey Fresco Painting Anastasis means resurrection Christ is seen pulling Adam and Eve out of their tombs in hell, nearby is King David

Iconostasis

Byzantine Art The end... Next lecture … Islamic Art