Byzantium

Question 1

Archangel Michael

Answer 1

Unusually large byzantine ivory panel modeled after a winged victory, he floats in front of the steps, rather than standing on them (not realistic).

Question 2

Vienna Dioskorides

Answer 2

almost 500 illustrations of plants, copied from the De materia medica.

Question 3

Hagia Sophia

Answer 3

Built for Justinian, known as the church of Holy Wisdom. Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus. Combines the vertically oriented central plan building and the longitudinally oriented basilica. Uses pendentive construction (Allows a circle dome to be placed over a square, supports central dome). Light floods the interior with 40 windows at the base of the dome.

Question 4

San Vitale

Answer 4

Centrally planned shrine honoring Saint Vitalis, a Ravenna martyr. Features a dome-covered, clerestory lit central space defined by piers alternating with curved, columned exedrae, creating an intricate eight leafed plan.

Question 5

Apse of San Vitale

Answer 5

A youthful Christ sitting on an orb of the world at the time of the second coming. (after his crucifixion).

Question 6

Theodora and attendants mosaic from San Vitale and Justinian

Answer 6

They never visited Ravenna; the mosaics are proxies for the absent sovereigns.

Question 7

Transfiguration mosaic in the apse of the Church of the Virgin

Answer 7

Features a depthless field of gold. The figures cast no shadows even though they are bathed in divine light. (occurred before crucifixion).

Question 8

Vienna Genesis

Answer 8

A manuscript in codex format. More heads than bodies to suggest a crowd.

Question 9

Iconoclasm

Answer 9

Icons are small portable paintings depicting Christ, the Virgins, or Saints. They were considered a personal, intimate, and indispensable, medium for spiritual transaction. Believed to have healing powers. Iconoclasm is the rejection of destruction of religious images.

Question 10

Virgin (Theotokos) and child enthroned mosaic in the apse of Hagia Sophia

Answer 10

Basil I dedicated this mosaic to replace the one that was destroyed.

Question 11

Middle Byzantine churches

Answer 11

Small and high shouldered with a central dome on a drum, and exterior wall surfaces with decorative patterns.

Question 12

Church of Theotokos and Katholikon

Answer 12

Theotokos - dome rests on pendentives.
Katholikon - dome placed over an octagon inscribed within a square and uses squinches.

Question 13

Interior Dome of Church of Dormition

Answer 13

Mosaic of Christ as Last Judge. Resembles an icon hovering dramatically over worshippers.

Question 14

San Marco

Answer 14

A central dome over the crossing, four other domes over the arms of the Greek cross, 40,000 square feet of mosaics.

Question 15

Pantokrator

Answer 15

An icon, depiction of Jesus as ruler of the universe.

Question 16

Pantokrator mosaic in the apse of the cathedral of Monreale

Answer 16

Usually appears in the main dome, however the cathedral is a longitudinal basilica, so it appears in the semidome apse.

Question 17

Harbaville Triptych

Answer 17

Used for private devotion, figures depicted with classical stances rather than the frontal poses of most Byzantine figures.

Question 18

Vladimir Virgin

Answer 18

Icon of Mary as the Virgin of Compassion. Presses her cheek against her son as she contemplates his future.

Question 19

Anastasis fresco in the apse of the Parekklesion of the Church of Christ in Chora.

Answer 19

idk looks important.

Question 20

Christ as Savior of Souls icon

Answer 20

Uses etched silver foil.

Question 21

Late Byzantine Icons

Answer 21

Have two painted sides because they were carried in processions.