Byzantine Art

Question 1

Give the three divisions of Medieval Art.

Answer 1

Romanesque
Gothic
Byzantine

Question 2

Give the characteristics of Medieval art.

Answer 2

elaborately decorative patterns, bright colors,

iconography, and Christian subject matter.

Question 3

Define the Medieval Period.

Answer 3

Period between Ancient and Modern times
• Also known as Dark Ages (a period of cultural darkness)
• Covers: 476 - 1453 AD

Question 4

Give the three time Periods of Medieval Period.

Answer 4

a. Early Middle Age (476 -1050)
b. High Middle Age (1050 – 1270)
c. Late Middle Age (1270 – 1453)

Question 5

Define the Early Middle Ages. (476 4150)

Answer 5

Division of East and Western Roman empires.
• Western Rome falls to barbarian tribes.
• An organized Church develops.
• Medieval kingdoms develop in Western Europe.
• Feudalism developed for protection.
• Monasticism flourished.

Question 6

Define the High Middle Ages.(1050 -1270)

Answer 6

• agricultural revolution.
• Increase in trade and commerce.
• Rebirth of towns and cities.
• Rise of an enterprising middle class.
• Art and literature flourished.
• Revival of learning and Medieval universities were founded.

Question 7

Define the Late Middle Ages.(1270-1453)

Answer 7

• Famine and disease caused drop in population.
• Christianity and the Church important in people’s lives and cultural developments, its political power and authority declined.
• Peasant rebellions broke out.
• England and France in constant wars.

Question 8

Give facts about the Medieval art.

Answer 8

Areas covered: Europe, Middle East & North Africa

• Major Art Periods/Movements:

1. Early Medieval art (Dark Ages)
   a. Byzantine art (330- 1450)
   b. Carolingian art (800-950)
   c. Ottonian art (950-1050)
2. Romanesque art (1000-1270)
3. Gothic art (1140- 1430)

Question 9

Is it true that Medieval art was born from the split in the Roman empire, Byzantine art shows an interplay between elements of classical, early Christian and “pagan” art?

Answer 9

True

Question 10

Give the time period of Byzantine Art.

Answer 10

(330 - 1450)

Question 11

Define what the Byzantine Empire was.

Answer 11

Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

▪ May 11, 330 AD – Constantinople became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire named after Emperor Constantine the Great.

▪ Spread to Asia Minor, Greece, Yugoslavia, the Balkans, Russia and Italy.

▪ It is the longest-lasting medieval power and its influence continues today, especially in religion, art, architecture and law of many Western states.

Question 12

Give the Characteristics of Byzantine art.

Answer 12

1. Abstraction, anti-naturalism and religious symbolism
2. Splendor and full use of light and color
3. Rejection of space and 3-dimensionality (more one-dimensional)
4. Human figures always frontal, flat, barley any shadowing, long faces, solemn looking eyes,
5. Rhythm in the grouping of figures and draping of costumes.

Question 13

Byzantine art subjects.

Answer 13

1. Religious (Christ, Mary, saints, etc.)
2. Imperial (Emperor, empress, etc.)
3. Secular or non-representational decoration (classical
   mythology)

Question 14

Give the Byzantine art forms.

Answer 14

1. Mosaics
2. Frescoes
3. Illuminated Manuscripts (miniature art)
4. Sculptures (relief and free-standing)
5. Minor or “luxury” arts such as ivories, steatites, enamels, jewelry, metalwork, ceramics

Question 15

Describe the Byzantine painting.

Answer 15

1. preferred religious symbolism.
2. Paintings and mosaics have rich use of color.
3. solid or toned golden backgrounds.
4. The figures appear flat, floating, stiff and one-dimensional.
5. Expresses extraordinary gorgeousness and pomp.
6. front with somber and solemn looks coming from large, staring eyes.
7. Faces were long and narrow with very little attempt to depict realism in the paintings and mosaics.

Question 16

Give facts about the Byzantine Architecture.

Answer 16

• 527-565 – Golden Age of Byzantine architecture under Justinian’s rule.
• a continuation of Roman architecture.
• Stylistic drift, technological advancement, and political and territorial. Certain influences from the Near East.
• Preferred the low light, somber and almost mysterious mood of the Eastern Orthodox church.
• Hagia Sophia- rebuilt in 532-537, is the epitome of Byzantine architecture.

Question 17

Give the Architectural Feature of Byzantine.

Answer 17

1. Used the Greek cross plan in church architecture (square central mass and four arms of equal length)
2. Eclectic with geometric complexity (combine Eastern elements)
3. Brick, plaster and stone were used in the decoration of important public structures.
4. Classical orders were used more freely.
5. Ornate mosaics replaced carved decoration.
6. Complex domes rested upon massive piers.
7. Use of vaulting and having thick walls.
8. Play of indoor lighting - windows filtered light through thin sheets of alabaster to softly illuminate interiors.

Question 18

Give the prime examples of Byzantine Architecture.

Answer 18

1. Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)
2. Hagia Irene (Constantinople)
3. Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuova (Ravenna, Italy)
4. Great Palace of Constantinople
5. Hosius Lukas Monastery (Greece)
6. Chora Church
7. Galla Placidia Mausoleum

Question 19

How does the Greek and Latin cross, floor plans differ?

Answer 19

Greek cross- floor plan = central dome and axis marked by the narthex (transverse vestibule)

Latin cross- floor plan = projecting apse, foreground and free standing, baptistry at the west.

Question 20

Give two fun facts about Byzantine churches.

Answer 20

• Byzantine churches had a large dome in the middle of the structure.
• Dome is unique in that it rests on 4 massive pillars which are arranged in a square.

Question 21

What is the squinch?

Answer 21

an arch in each of the corners in a square base that transforms into an octagon or the pendentive.

Question 22

It was a fusion of dominical construction with the classical columnar style.

Answer 22

The dome