Early Byzantine Art Flashcards
During the reign of ________, the capital of the Roman Empire moved to Byzantium
Theodosius II
Theodosius II was known for building _____ and commanding ________.
city walls; land and sea trade routes
How long was the Byzantine Golden Age?
408 AD (with Theodosius II) to end of the 6th century
The city walls of Theodosius were very strong and held until the coming of cannons in ____
1453
What were some aspects of Theodosius II’s city walls?
Golden Horn
Complex land defense system – alternating walls, terraces, moats
Inner walls
Fortified gates
Independent Towers
Firing platforms
Golden Gate
What was the ancient masonry system used in Theodosius II’s wall?
Alternating stone and brick with a core of concrete
What was the primary weakness of Theodosius II’s wall?
The Golden Gate
Justinian I ruled the West/East side of the Roman Empire
East
What was Justinian I known for during his reign?
Defended against invaders
Reorganized govt
Justinianic Code
Regain lost western territory
New west capital = Ravenna
New Tax system (burden!)
Nika rebellion
What destroyed the first Hagia Sophia?
The Nika Rebellion
What was the religious sect who was discontent with the orthodoxy during the Byzantine era?
Monophysites
Caesaropapism
The combination of a secular government with religious power
When was the Second Council of Constantinople?
553 AD
Monophysism
The Christian doctrine that affirms only the divine nature of Christ and denies the human.
The Transfiguration - Year, medium, location
549
Apse mosaic
Church of San Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna
What is important behind the theology of The Transfiguration?
It emphasizes the church’s position on the human and divine nature of Christ
The Transfiguration uses many symbols, such as _____
The cross, sheep, hand of God, Moses/Elijah, St. Apollinaris
Tell me about the landscaping of The Transfiguration. It is symmetrical/non-symmetical, with _________ units.
Symmetrical
Isolated, independent, decorative
The Sacrifice of Isaac - artist, year, medium, location
Marianos and Anaias
518 AD
Mosaic pavement
Beth Alpha Synagogue, Galilee
The halls of the synagogues of Galilee and Judea are decorated like ______
carpets
Although the Beth Alpha Synagogue of Galilee was destroyed by _______, the _____ was preserved.
an earthquake
Floor
What is the theme of The Sacrifice of Isaac?
Origin and fulfillment of God’s covenant with His people
How are the figures portrayed in The Sacrifice of Isaac?
Full face, but profile legs and feet. Half front view, half profile.
The binding of Isaac in The Sacrifice of Isaac is a symbol of _______ and ______
Perfect obedience
God’s promise
The center of the mosaic pavement of The Sacrifice of Isaac has the _______ and personifications of the _____ surrounding the helios
Zodiac
Seasons
The _______ __ ___ ______ ___ determine the cycle of Jewish festivals
movement of the heavenly bodies
Sumptuary arts are for the ________
wealthy and intellectual elite
Hard, white material from tusks and teeth of animals, such as elephants
Ivory
Diptych
Two separate but joined panels
Panel of Saint Michael – year, medium, location
6th century
Ivory diptych (right leaf)
The British Museum, London
True or false: The face of St. Michael conforms to classical ideal in order to keep the Roman legacy alive
True
St. Michael appears as a ______ ___ rather than a saint
classical hero (or orator)
Tell me about the Byzantine aspects of Panel of St. Michael
no rational space (especially in the steps)
The spatial ambiguity is well used in the Panel of St. Michael because ______
he is a divine messenger
What does the inscription on the Panel of St. Michael say?
Receive these gifts, and having learned the cause…
The Emperor Victorious - year, medium, location
6th century
The Barberini Ivory
The Louvre, Paris
Why is it called Barberini ivory? What’s the difference?
Complex and imperial
The Emperor Victorious contains a combination of ______ and ____ iconography, as is typical in Constantinian art
Pagan
Christian
The generals in the left (and right?) panels offer ______ to the emperor in The Emperor Victorious
statues of victory
The bottom panel of The Emperor Victorious contains _______
conquered Persians and barbarians
Wild animals
The top panel of The Emperor Victorious contains
Christ, blessing the emperor, with His power
Illuminated Manuscript
A formally prepared document where the text is decorated with flourishes such as borders and miniature illustrations
Portrait of the author at work with an assistant, and Inspiration - artist, year, medium, location made, current location
Dioscorides
512 AD
Illustrated manuscript
Constantinople
Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, Vienna
Portrait of the author at work with an assistant, and Inspiration is also known as ______ ____
Vienna Dioscorides
Portrait of the author at work with an assistant, and Inspiration is a _____ treatise
Scientific
In scientific treatise, the illuminations were meant to ______ AND ______ the text
clarify
ornament
Portrait of the author at work with an assistant, and Inspiration is created in an abstract/realistic style
realistic (classical style)
The third person in Portrait of the author at work with an assistant, and Inspiration is _____, the power of thought
Epinoia
Rebecca at the Well – year, medium, location made, current location
6th century, illustrated manuscript on purple vellum, Constantinople, Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, Vienna
Rebecca at the Well is also known as ____ _____
Vienna Genesis
The purple of Rebecca at the Well represents _____
royalty
The text of Rebecca at the Well is written in ______ or _____
silver; gold
Rebecca at the Well is a _______ narrative
continuous
What is happening in Rebecca at the Well?
Rebecca is carrying a jug to a personification of water/nymph at a river, then she offers the water to Eliezar and his camels
Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb - year, medium, location made, current location
586 AD
Illustrated Manuscript on light vellum
Monastery of St. John in Zagba, Syria
Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, Florence
Both Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb are included in the _____ _____
Rabbula Gospels
Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb is done in the classical/neoplastic style
classical
How is Christ depicted in Crucifixion?
Mature, alive, regal, triumphant on the cross, modest with purple robe
Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb are very narrative-based, in contrast with the ____ mosaics
Arian
Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb is a response to Arianism/Monophysism
Monophysism
True or false: Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb depicts these scenes as rooted in the real, natural world.
True
