1. Early Christian Architecture and Design
Byzantine, Romanesque & Gothic

2. For Fun … ENJOY this class

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

4. Early Christian Architecture
Chronology:
– Emperor Diocletian divide the Roman Empire (West and East)

5. Eastern & Western Roman Empire

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

7. 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

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

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

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

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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. Hagia Sophia AD
Minaret’s are a later addition and typical of Islamic architecture.

17. 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

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

19. St. Mark’s, Venice AD

20. St. Mark’s, Venice AD

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

22. St. Mark’s, Venice AD

23. St. Mark’s, Venice AD

24. St. Mark’s, Venice AD