Byzantine Flashcards
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) + longitudinal basilica (St. P)= Orthodox
important for Orthodox liturgy- clergy & imperial family process in central nave- laity gets glimpses of heaven on earth
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
