Christian art developed from biblical stories and imagery found in the New Testament gospels and book of Revelation. Early Christian art was created in underground catacombs. Byzantine art extended the Roman empire's eastern portion and was influenced by Orthodox Christianity, featuring flat, floating figures in frontal orientation with gold backgrounds instead of depth or realism. Justinian I's rule in the 6th century typified the early Byzantine era, suppressing all religions but Christianity and reclaiming western Roman lands. Icons were used devotionally but were banned in iconoclasm; abstraction replaced figural art until icons were restored in 843. Manuscripts and objects like the Vienna Genesis and protective icons like the Virgin of Vladimir displayed the

1. Chapter 7: Early Christian, and Byzantine Art Magister Ricard Art History

2. Questions to Consider What are the architectural elements of a basilica plan church and a central plan church? How does the dome of the Hagia Sophia differ from that of the Parthenon? How does the mosaic Justinian and His Attendants display the Byzantine Style?

3. Christian Art Chapter 7

4. Christian Art: Life of Jesus For Christians, Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament Incarnation and childhood: the birth, infancy, and childhood of Jesus Public ministry: Critical events like the 12 apostles, performing miracles, and sermons Passion: Events of his arrest, trial, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension

5. Christian Literary Sources Art is drawn from New Testament 4 evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (four gospels) Art that draws on Old Testament prefigure the coming of the Messiah Draws on the book of Revelation and images of the Last Judgment

6. Christian Underground Throughout its young history during the Roman empire, Christianity had to go underground to escape persecution This lead to the creation of the catacombs This is where Christian imagery was developed, founded on classical imagery

16. Byzantine Art Chapter 7

17. Byzantine Art Extends from Constantinople Based in the eastern portion of Roman empire Western Rome ruled by Germanic tribes in 476 Eastern Rome continues on until 1453 with invasion of Ottoman Turks Influenced predominantly by Christian themes and imagery Not focused on realism and naturalism Concerned with religion and teaching

18. Byzantine Art: Characteristics Flat – figures appear flat, lacking volume Floating – figures appear to hover, appear weightless Frontal – oriented toward the viewer in a planar format, in same picture plane as viewer Gold – interest is in central figures, little detail in backgrounds, depthless, but full of gold

19. Byzantine Art: Chronology

20. Justinian I Besides Constantine, important Byzantine ruler His rule (527-565 AD) typified the early Byzantine era Reclaims large portions of former western Roman empire Ravenna is administrative capital in the west Suppresses all other religions, proclaims Orthodox Christianity official religion Creates a theocratic state in which emperor was head of the church and state

30. Byzantine Art: Devotional Objects Workshops in Constantinople produced excellent works of gold, carved ivory, and textiles Scriptoria (a scriptorium) were sponsored by Byzantine elites for the production of manuscripts

31. Byzantine Art: Devotional Objects Vienna Genesis Page from book of Genesis In codex form Written in Greek Illuminated due to use of color Vellum dyed purple

32. Icons and Iconoclasm Christians were more open towards the religious use of icons when compared to Jews and Muslims Church doctrine was ambivalent Used to help when praying and aid in meditation In 726 Emperor Leo III launched campaign against use of icons – iconoclasm Byzantine figural art ceases until 843 when icon production is resumed Abstraction of religious symbols was used instead

33. Icon: Virgin of Vladmir Medium: Tempera – egg yolk mixed with pigment 11th-12th century, Moscow Stylized – adheres to set features of Byzantine style Flat appearance, golden background Mary’s thin nose, yet expressive Believed to have miraculous powers of protection

34. Conclusion Christian art would develop upon the Classical images it inherited and would eventually rescue that imagery from oblivion Byzantine art, although heavily stylized, would also have a heavy influence on European art What it lacks in realism it makes up for by portraying matters of the spirit and establishes a recognizable art style

35. Questions to Consider What are the architectural elements of a basilica plan church and a central plan church? How does the dome of the Hagia Sophia differ from that of the Parthenon? How does the mosaic Justinian and His Attendants display the Byzantine Style?