Transcript Byzantine Art and Architecture and Constantine and the

Byzantine Art and
Architecture
Byzantine History
 Capital of Roman Empire moved to
Constantinople
– More advantageous trade route between Asia and
Europe
 Reached its highest expression of power in early
6th century when Justinian took the throne
 Longest lasting empire just short of Egyptian
 Exerted strong cultural influence over Christian
world
Justinian: A powerful ruler
 Came from a simple family in the countryside
 Signifies belief that anyone can become ruler
– Ruler chosen from birth by God
 Married Theodora
– Former dancer and prostitute
– Tough-minded woman
– Added strength and power
– Equal to her husband
Justinian cont’d
 Brought economic stability to empire
 Revised and codified Roman Law
– Became basis for all courts
– Became basis in later centuries of Roman Law
in the west
 Showed immense generosity to the church
– Church = Art
Byzantine Architecture
 Most famous church = Hagia Sophia
– Name means “Holy Wisdom”
 Church is the culminating example of
Byzantine architecture known as arcuate
domicile
 Built between 532-537
 Was once the largest church in the world
Hagia Sophia
 Bricks alternated with mortar were not
properly balanced for weight
– Collapses occurred during two earthquakes
– Rebuilt
 Arches buckled and buttresses were
erected
Hagia Sophia
 Emphasis is placed on the elevated central
pavilion
– Image of heaven
– Tall, open spaces
– Need for light
 Pavilion is a large dome with two half
domes flanking the east and west sides
Hagia Sophia
 In order to create a transcendental
environment, dome could not be heavy as
seen in typical barrel vault techniques
 Architects Anthemius and Isidore created
and used pendentives
• Triangular masonry devices that carried the weight
of the dome on massive piers
Hagia Sophia
 Shows elements of old basilica styles
– Columned side aisles
– Gallery for female worship
 Overwhelming visual impression from
dome
Need for light
 Light = symbol of divine wisdom
 Forty windows make the dome appear to
be floating
 Light refracted off the rich mosaics and
colored marbled interior
Mosaics
 Mosaics are icons
– A window into the world of the sacred
 One stands before the icon and speaks through its
image to the reality beyond
– (Justinian had several mosaics of himself created;
thought he represented Christ on Earth)
 Religious figures always surrounded by halo of
light.