Christian, Byzantine

Question 1

Tessera / Tesserae

Answer 1

• Attempted to show 3D scenes
  -

Question 2

Answer 2

Sant’Apollinare Nuovo

• Nave
• Collonade
• Clerestory level
• Mosaic decoration

Question 3

Answer 3

The parting of Abraham and Lot
nave of Santa Maria Maggiore (first church dedicated to Virgin Mary)
Rome, Italy
Mosaic, 3’4” high.

Formal qualities:

• High, away from ground
• Had to be simple to understand. Simple composition, minimal details in landscape.
• Expressive eyes, gestures
• Attempt to capture light and shadow, esp. in drapery
• Attempted 3D
• Perspective via head-cluster
• Intuitive Perspective: no system, general attempt

Departing of Christians and Jews

Question 4

Answer 4

San Vitale
Ravenna

• Commissioned by bishop
• Emperor wanted to show that he was present, though he never visited
• Two concentric octagons
• Central plan (circular)
• Thick, large piers supporting dome
• Exedrae
• Ambulatory
• Veined marble, mosaic, decorated
• *Dematerialization**
• Wanted to appear visually impossible

Question 5

Exedra / Exedrae

Question 6

Ambulatory

Answer 6

For walking

Question 7

Dematerialization

Answer 7

• Loss of visual structure
• Visually confusing

Question 8

Answer 8

Mosaic at San Vitale
Etherial, more royal and archaic robes
Not part of a narrative

Emphasis on spiritual experience, which unifies with the effort to dematerialization within the buidling

Question 9

Answer 9

Emperor and entourage
Justinian holding bowl
Carrying body/blood of Christ to altar
Propaganda - proxies for emperor and empress

Emphasize chi ro symbol
Purple emperial robe
Refers to halo

Feels flat - straight robe folds, raising from feet, flat gold background

Question 10

Answer 10

Theodora carrying chalise
Carrying body/blood of Christ to altar
Propaganda - proxies for emperor and empress

Purple emperial robe
Refers to halo

Feels flat - straight robe folds, raising from feet, flat gold background

Canopy over-head, curtained door to symbolize moving from one space to another. Even though she was and empress, women were not allowed in the same spaces as men inside churches.

Question 11

Qualities of byzantine figures

Answer 11

Tall and slender
Highly decorated
Flat feeling
Large eyes, frontal gaze, tiny nose and mouth
Emphasis on clothing
Weightless and hovering feeling

Question 12

Answer 12

Virgin of Vladamir

Icon
People thought that this was a step back
Iconoclasm: There was a backlash to destroy icons

Full byzantine style
Abstracted body to suggest unworldly liason
Lines suggesting folds in tunic
Gold background
Large eyes, minimized nose and mouth

Question 13

Iconoclasm

Answer 13

By attempting to create an image of the divine, there was a fear that worshipers would instead focus on the image.

726 - 843 ce

Question 14

Answer 14

Colossus of Constantine
Basilica Nova

• Wooden Torso with broze veneer
• Marble areas
• 8’ tall head
• To assert his power

Question 15

Answer 15

Basilica Nova

• Groin vaults and barrel vaults
• Nave
• Clerestory level
• Viewers do not see Constantine statue right away

Question 16

Constantine

Answer 16

LATE EMPIRE

• Restored one-man rule
• Legalizes Christianity
• Moves seat of empire to Constantinople. This moved power east.
• Baptised before he dies

Question 17

Answer 17

Old Saint Peter’s
Rome, Italy

• Influenced by Paegan buildings of old Rome
• Utilized Basilican plan with naves, apses
• Latin cross plan

Remains of St. Peter kept there.
3000-4000 occupants
Supports traffic flow

Wide central nave flanked by aisles, arches supported by columns, nave arcade.

Wooden timber roof

Question 18

Transcept

Answer 18

Question 19

Answer 19

Schematic plan for a monastery at Saint Gall
Switzerland

Austerity, organization, self discipline
Clustering - right side for monks, other side for peace and meditation
Organization to counteract decadence of clergy