Byzantine part 2

Rise of the Byzantine Era Christianity goes mainstream

We need a church! What to use? Roman Basilicas fit the requirements of the growing Christian followers were suited for Christian worship as congregation could sit and listen to the deacon Apse Nave

The parts of a Roman Basilica Campanile Side Aisle Apse Altar Columns Transept Nave Atrium Covered Walkway

Example of a Roman Basilica Church a triumphal arch separates the nave from the apse (symbol of Christ’s victory over eternal death) this plan became the basis for European Cathedrals in later years St. Paul Outside the Walls, Interior View (Begun 368, reconstructed 1823) Nave Apse Altar

• mosaics of coloured glass and gold cover the walls and triumphal arch • 80 granite columns in four rows • floor is decorated with inlaid marble designs • frescos also used in Basilicas but few remain (minature murals that illustrated, enhanced and clarified the written word of the bible)

“ St. Apollinare in Classe” 470, Ravenna • exteriors were very conservative in appearance (simple red brick) Outside View of Roman Basilica Church

Fighting...back and forth and back and forth... Constantine dies and the Roman Empire soon becomes split into Eastern and Western Empires Eastern Empire Western Empire

In the first half of the 5 th Century Rome is attacked by the Visigoths, Huns, and Vandals leaving the once proud city in ruins the Empire is now focused around Constantinople

Monasteries Monasteries are established as a refuge from worldly disorder e.g. The Benedictine order was established by St. Benedict and was charged with the responsibility of copying and preserving important religious manuscripts and papers

Mosaics: Roman vs. Byzantine Roman mosaics used polished, coloured natural stone

Byzantine Mosaic Byzantine mosaics used brightly coloured glass (tessarae) pressed into wet plaster *this uneven texture causes the mosaic to glitter Mosaic from St. Paul Outside the Walls

Early Christian Sculpture very little sculpture was made in the early Christian church, most of which has been destroyed stone sarcophagi were carved in relief (Roman development) but subject matter was Christian

early Christian work still has Roman influence (natural rather than symbolic form) Christ is a beardless Roman-looking youth The Good Shepherd, 3 rd Century, Marble, Half life size Roman Pastoral God, Aristaeus

Chalice of Antioch 350-500 CE, Silver and Gilt, 19 cm high Inner plain silver cup sits in outer ornate shell When first re-discovered after WWI, it was thought to be the “Holy Grail” (the cup that Christ drank from at the last supper) Two figures of Christ on each side (one youthful, one mature) Apostles, animals and birds are woven into vines, branches, leaves and grapes -- all symbolic of Christ’s work Eagle is a symbol of immortality

Da . Da Da!!!! Justinian saves the day!! in 527 Justinian ascends the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire), recaptures most of southern Italy and establishes Ravenna on the east coast as the new center of power his reign begins the Golden Age of Byzantine culture and art and during this time an amazing number of churches are constructed in Ravenna Roman Empire at Justinian’s rise to power (527) Roman Empire at Justinian’s Death (527) Ravenna

San Vitale, Exterior, 525-547, Ravenna

large Octagonal Church with Dome over center mosaics under arches illustrate biblical and contemporary events San Vitale - Interior, 525-547, Ravenna

Look at that mosaic madness!!! All out of tiny pieces of glass!

Semicircle depicts two stories from the life of Abraham Look at how clear the images are, easy to read and interpret. With only a select few in the population able to read, these images were key in telling the story of the Bible.

Emperor Justinian and Attendants, mosaic, San Vitale How would you describe how these figures look? ___________________ Where do you see Christian symbols in this piece? (if you look closely and you know what to look for, there are at least 6)

halo informs us that Justinian is God’s holy representative stylized, tall figures but faces are somewhat natural (most likely portraits) costumes hide figure beneath, and are very stylized large eyes stare from almond shaped faces figures seem to float and pose for the viewer monogram of Christ on shield gold background symbolizes the holiness and perfection of heaven

following a revolt in 532, Justinian rebuilds Constantinople including the large Basilica Hagia Sophia (Church of Holy Wisdom) **minarets were added in 1453 when the Moslems conquered Constantinople and changed the church into a Mosque Hagia Sophia

Future Architects take note: The Design of Hagia Sophia One of the most celebrated architectural masterpieces OF ALL TIME!!! Incredible dome seems to float thanks to the pendentives that hold it up (no obvious big pillars Known for its “mystical” light quality designed by architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletos (don’t worry, you don’t have to memorize those names :) ) structural challenge of placing a dome on a square structure in an aesthetically pleasing way four concave triangles (pendentives) solve the problem and provide a graceful transition to the piers below...this had NEVER been tried on any other building before!!

The marvel of pendentives... See how the pendentives seem to disguise how the massive weight of the dome is held up? Very light and airy as a result....

Floor plan of Hagia Sophia Enormous piers that hold up the dome allow walls to have windows which let in light Pier Pendentive

80 m long, 40 m wide, dome is 60 m high (50 on the inside...that is the length of two basketball courts, end to end) largest interior space in the world at the time originally walls were covered with Byzantine mosaics completed in less than 6 years

mosaics either scraped off or covered over by Muslims after conversion to Islam today Hagia Sophia is a museum of Byzantine art Christ appears compassionate and loving, face is realistic, robes and book are stylized and unnatural (restored in 1933) Hagia Sophia Mosaics Christ between the Virgin and Saint John the Baptist, mosaic, 1261

Enthroned Madonna and Child, 13 th Century, Egg Tempera on panel, 122 x 77 cm some mural painting was done near the end of the Byzantine Empire (iconostasis) egg tempera was combined with gold to produce brilliant backgrounds realistic gentle face and hands poses are symbolic robes appear flat, and use oriental-styled sunbursts perspective and foreshortening is wrong child is out of proportion—like a miniature adult

The Fall of the Roman Empire 7 th Century – Islam is on the rise and soon Africa and the Near East are overrun by Arab armies 11 th Century – the Turks occupy a large part of Asia Minor, and the remaining elements in Southern Italy fall to the Normans in 1453 the Turks conquer Constantinople itself

To sum up... Roman Basilica plan used for churches Barbarian tribes drive Roman Empire out of Rome Justinian re-conquers area and makes Ravenna the new capital Roman Mosaics - natural stone / Byzantine Mosaics - pieces of glass Hagia Sophia in Constantinople an architectural marvel Byzantine mosaics develop a very distinctive style. Used to illustrate biblical stories

Byzantine part 2

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Byzantine part 2