Byzantine Flashcards

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Early Byzantine, Anthemius of Tralles & Isidorus of Miletus, Hagia Sophia, ca. 532-537 (Constantinople [Istanbul], Turkey)

One of the most famous Eastern structures, commissioned by Justinian, meant to rival all churches in scale and magnificence (Temple of Solomon- Jerusalem)

Minarets (added after Turks convert to mosque in 15th c.) & buttresses (added after earthquake) not in original

shorter than St. Peter’s but vertically oriented with dome (108’ wide, 180’ high), 40 windows below dome

radiating light important=presence of God

new engineering- pendentives- transfer weight from dome to piers beneath, instead of drum supporting weight on all sides- like Pantheon- so dome cannot be as large- also many windows at base weakens

combines Roman+ Christian- vertically-oriented central plan (Roman) + longitundinal basilica (St. P)= Orthodox

important for Orthodox liturgy- clergy & imperial family process in central nave- laity gets glimpses of heaven on earth

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Early Byzantine, Justinian, Bishop Maximianus and Attendants, ca. 547 (San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy)

mosaic from N. wall of apse- mosaics of Justinian & Theodora positioned below Christ, taking part in Eucharist, excellent example of Byzantine mosaic (+ small pieces of colored glass stone covered w/gold) art

on L- secular members/private guard- shield with Greek monogram of Christ’s name- chi-ro-iota

emperor- purple and red, has halo, hieratic scale, holds golden paten (bread), solemn, not overlapped; bishop has name above, holds crucifix

late Antique style- rigid frontality, still, no background, weightless, speechless, bodies flattened

anti-naturalistic- weight of idea of spiritual reality

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