Art History 8 Byzantine Art

Timeline Pink area to the right is Byzantine

Map of Byzantine Art Image from

Historical Background The term “Byzantine Empire” is a name given to the Romans during the Middle Ages. When the Roman Empire split, the eastern portion was ruled by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great from Constantinople (currently Istanbul, Turkey). The art and architecture were influenced by the church. Orthodox Christianity was not the official religion, but was held in high esteem. In early Byzantine history, that Christian influence dictated the art. Over time, other religious theory altered what images were permitted to be produced in art. The church and state were one in the Byzantine Empire. Therefore, much money and luxury went into the production of art. Byzantine Art Emperor Basil II, painting.Public Domain image by Brastite.

Characteristics of Paintings in the Byzantine Empire specialized in icons, mosaics and illuminated manuscripts There were two “traditions” in Byzantine art: classical and hieratic style. Architural innovations include the pendentive and squinch. Time periods of Byzantine art include: Byzantine art influenced art throughout Russia, eastern Europe and Greece on into the twentieth century. Byzantine Art Early Byzantine Iconoclastic Controversy Middle (High) Byzantine Late Byzantine Bust of Leo I Byzantine Emperor. Image Jastrow, public domain

Characteristics of Painting Most characteristic of Byzantine art is the icon. An icon is a religious work of art that is symbolic. It was often painted on a small wooden panel in Byzantine art. Icons were often believed to possess spiritual powers and were considered sacred. There was a special process used in making icons that included layering stucco, tracing an image, gilding and finally, painting it. Incense and candles were often burned in front of an icon, leaving soot and scorching on the painting. Byzantine Art Byzantine icon of Christ. Image from

Characteristics of Painting Paintings were frequently a combination of classical style and hieratic medieval style. Many times more than one artist worked on an art work. Classical artists used a painterly brushstroke. They used innovation in representing the figure and soft transitions between colors. The formal medieval style showed frontal poses, symmetry and weightless appearing bodies. Perspective was unimportant. Nudity in Byzantine painting was seldom seen because it represented a more “pagan” or mythological association. Frescoes and mosaic paintings were popular. Byzantine Art Third Crusade. Artist: Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld Public domain image.

Manuscript Painting Manuscripts were meticulously drawn. Most use gold such as is seen in icons and mosaics. Few people could read, so the images helped people understand the story. In the National Library of Greece, copies of some of the Byzantine manuscripts still exist. Byzantine Art Illumination from manuscript. Shows capture of Jerusalem. Public domain image, wikimedia commons. Reproduction of a Byzantine manuscript, the Joshua Roll, which is the first 12 chapters of the Book of Joshua from the Bible. Image from Carleton.edu

Characteristics of Mosaics Mosaics used cut stone, glass, and marble to “paint” pictures The Byzantine Empire used mosaics frequently, especially in churches. Many of the mosaics were destroyed, but there are still quite a few that remain. The mosaic below is one of the most important surviving mosaics of the Great Palace of Constantinople. Byzantine Art Justinian mosaic. Yorck project image, public domain. Floor mosaic detail from the great palace of Constantinople. 6 th century. Public domain image.

Characteristics of Sculpture Byzantine sculpture was often done in ivory or precious metals. A Triptych is a three- paneled sculpture or painting. Byzantine art used the triptych frequently. A mosaic is a decoration using pieces of stone, marble or colored glass that are cemented to a wall or floor into a picture. Byzantine art is known for its mosaics. Byzantine Art Ivory carving from the Byzantine Empire. Month of September. Public domain image.

Characteristics of Architecture Byzantine architects invented the pendentive and the squinch. A pendentive is a triangular shaped piece of masonry which holds a dome by channeling the weight of the dome down to a pier below. Because walls no longer had to hold the weight of the domes, pendentives make it possible to have greater wall space for windows, making buildings brighter. The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (built in 532) is a good example of the use of pendentive. The squinch is a variation of the pendentive. A squinch is a type of pendentive that has many shapes other than a triangle. (Pendentives were triangular) Byzantine Art Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo. Image from Hiro-o, at ja.wikipedia GNUFD image

Characteristics of Architecture The exterior of early Byzantine architecture was plain, made of brick or concrete. Later, exteriors were fancier, with color brick, stones and marble laid out in patterns. Interiors of important architecture in the Byzantine Empire had mosaics, fresco paintings, and patterned marble. In later periods of Byzantine architecture, the buildings had strong vertical emphasis. (small floor space but very tall) Windows were used more frequently in important buildings in the Byzantine Empire. Byzantine Art The Hagia Sophia, 532. Image by Robert Raderschatt, GNU free document.