Content Area 3: Early Europe and Colonial Americas Byzantine
Byzantium Eastern empire, Byzantium, prospered centered around the city of Constantinople. Iconoclasm in 8th and 9th centuries. Ottoman Turks in 1453
Byzantine Art Wide definition/no uniform style=italy to Middle East; 4 th -15 th centuries. Byzantine depicts that which we cannot see the intangible, heavenly, and spiritual. Depth and naturalism is replaced by flatness and mystery. Early Byzantine (c. 330 750): -Emperor Constantine adopted Christianity and in 330 moved his capital from Rome to Constantinople. -Christianity replaces pagan religions, affecting art production. -Icons and Iconoclasm Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George, sixth or early seventh century, encaustic on wood, 2' 3" x 1' 7 3/8" (St. Catherine's Monastery, Sinai, Egypt)
Byzantine Art Middle Byzantine (c. 850 1204): -stylistic and thematic interests continue -Empire spreads into Slavic world; Russia adopt Orthodox Christianity in 10th century. -central cross plan -increased ornamentation on church exteriors. -increased stability and wealth.
Byzantine Art Late Byzantine (c. 1261 1453): Crusades captured Constantinople in 1204 (done by 1261) Two distinct versions of Christianity. Ottomans took Constantinople in 1453; end of Byzantium period of diminished wealth and stability; arts continue to flourish Anastasis (Harrowing of Hell), c. 1310-20, fresco, Church of the Holy Savior of Chora/Kariye Museum, Istanbul
50. Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well and Jacob Wrestling the Angel, from the Vienna Genesis Early Byzantine Europe Early 6 th century CE Illuminated manuscript (tempera, gold, and silver on purple vellum) Manuscript of the first book of the Bible. Books are major undertaking-animal skin, text written by hand Text written in silver leaf. Royal commission. Linear narrative that has to fit the space. No hierarchical scaling. 24 folios (pages) survive. *Jacob Wrestling the Angel *Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well
What, if any, classical elements do you see?
The illustration of this biblical story shows two episodes, which is common in medieval art. In Europe, artists and patrons of the ancient world loved realistic details and veracity. Medieval artists and patrons instead valued symbolism and abstraction. Personification of the source of the well s water
54. Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodora and George Early Byzantine Europe 6 th or early 7 th century CE Encaustic on wood One of thousands of important Byzantine images, books, and documents preserved at St. Catherine s Monastery, Mount Sinai (Egypt). Faces are models of classicism/standardized. Frontal and symmetrical. Space is flat, but shows recession. Inward and upward to holiest zone. Golden background and halos are typical of Byzantine art.
51. San Vitale Ravenna, Italy Early Byzantine Europe c. 526-547 CE Brick, marble and stone veneer, mosaic Saint Vitalus/patron saint of Ravenna Central plan/octagon Built from repurposed brick Many windows illuminate mosaics Ambulatory Mandorla *Exterior *Interior
*Justinian panel Asserting control over his empire. Ravenna once an Orthodox city. Wearing purple Flanked by members of the church, royal court, and military. Halo Frontal, abstract, geometric Floating in space/gold background. Scene is the procession of the Eucharist. Tesserae
Co-equal. Entertainer? Elaborately decorated Halo Carries chalice *Theodora panel
*San Vitale plan
Video in notes
52. Hagia Sophia Constantinople (Istanbul) Anthemius and Isidorus of Miletus 532-537 CE Brick and cermanic elements with stone and mosaic veneer Symbol of Byzantium 3 rd church on this site, constructed under Justinian. Hallmark of building program to assert authority. *Hagia Sophia exterior *Hagia Sophia interior dome
Central plan Pendentive half-domes Dome has 40 windows Continuous light=heavenly/divine Windows were colored Movement/transition Minimal figurative decoration Marble revetment or mosaic Mosque into 1934, now a museum Christian furnishing and relics were taken during Crusades to pay for debts (Venice). Minarets Video in notes *Hagia Sophia plan