Byzantine
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The Byzantine Art Period was one of the most notable art periods associated with the christian faith. Including artist products of the Eastern Roman Empire, byzantine art retained a remarkably conservative orientation throughout its duration
When the Roman Emperor Constantine made the Christian religion legal (313) and moved the capital of the state to the ancient greek city of Byzantium (called ever since Constantinople), a new era started for art. During this time, the Byzantine Empire was expanding. Many people fought, and battled for countries and, in order to expand their territory and gain power. The Byzantine art period began in A.D 330, at the founding of city Constantinople, and continued until the conquest of the city by the Turks in 1453. Constantinople was the centre of a great Empire with magnificent artistic creation. The fact that it developed in areas with greek population and culture gave a new orientation to the art and culture of the Empire.
Commonly known for it's beautiful mosaics, which is a form of art created by assembling small pieces of glass, stone, marble, gold and/or other materials on cement or plaster bed, and evolved religious buildings such as basilicas, byzantine art produced magnificent artists and works. One of the most common works from this era is the Hagia Sophia, a technical and architectural achievement, was a breakthrough in this art style. The Church was built in a different manner to previous constructions as it had more of a dynamic space and the vaults relied on arches. St Sophia was made during the 6th century under the rule of Justinian. The Byzantine era is also the time where Constantine built many Christian basilicas, which are based on old Roman buildings for senate meetings.
The Orthodox Church was accepted by Constantine. Later on it reinstated something important to the byzantine art style; iconography. Icons and images were greatly used from the byzantine era onwards. This affected how Jesus was portrayed, as it allowed Jesus to be put into art. This caused controversy as many denied the use of icons as it was considered blasphemy according to one of the 10 commandments. Jesus, along with many figures, became 2D icons. At the beginning of the Byzantine art period, Monasticism was being widely practised, not only by Christians, but by many others within the empire. Jesus himself was like a monk, who had devoted his whole life to serving others, and serving God. As people possessed knowledge of this, they portrayed Jesus as a wise, and peaceful man. Many of these times, they used expensive materials, and different mediums to portray their concepts. In many artworks, Jesus is portrayed as a wise and holy man. The main features which define this include the halo around his head, the bible which he holds, and the expensive materials such as gold, the broken glass mosaics techniques and arrangements, and the richly coloured paints which have been used throughout the artworks.
Byzantine art differed from other art styles as it completely glorified God and Jesus. It is generally described as ornate (highly decorated) .Characterised by its concern with religious expression, especially when it comes to expressing religion theology through art, byzantine art highly stylised it's figures. During this art period, many church teachings and figures were put into imaginative terms such as the pictorial representation of Jesus Christ, Mother Mary (the Virgin Mary) and angels. These figures however, we're not portrayed as they appeared on Earth as the emphasis was on their religious souls.
Artists found that is was hard to depict Jesus. He was too powerful and mysterious and it would be too hard hard to do depict him in art. They added spiritual elements to make it more realistic such as - Halo, doves, crosses - they said that it was better and easier to depict Jesus by making mosaics in the Byzantine Empire. To signify Jesus they used bright glass and gold.
In this artwork, Jesus is being depicted as one who appears to be wise, and very intellectual and holy. This artwork shows Jesus holding a bible, having a halo around his head, and he is dressed in a bright garment, coloured in gold and blue. Many people started to live a simple life, most of them began to devote their works to spiritual works. Jesus, during this time was extremely respected, he was known as a teacher. Mosaics, broken glass and rich paint during this time were the most common mediums used in artworks. The audience can identify this artwork as being from the early Byzantium period, as the types of materials that were used.
When the Roman Emperor Constantine made the Christian religion legal (313) and moved the capital of the state to the ancient greek city of Byzantium (called ever since Constantinople), a new era started for art. During this time, the Byzantine Empire was expanding. Many people fought, and battled for countries and, in order to expand their territory and gain power. The Byzantine art period began in A.D 330, at the founding of city Constantinople, and continued until the conquest of the city by the Turks in 1453. Constantinople was the centre of a great Empire with magnificent artistic creation. The fact that it developed in areas with greek population and culture gave a new orientation to the art and culture of the Empire.
Commonly known for it's beautiful mosaics, which is a form of art created by assembling small pieces of glass, stone, marble, gold and/or other materials on cement or plaster bed, and evolved religious buildings such as basilicas, byzantine art produced magnificent artists and works. One of the most common works from this era is the Hagia Sophia, a technical and architectural achievement, was a breakthrough in this art style. The Church was built in a different manner to previous constructions as it had more of a dynamic space and the vaults relied on arches. St Sophia was made during the 6th century under the rule of Justinian. The Byzantine era is also the time where Constantine built many Christian basilicas, which are based on old Roman buildings for senate meetings.
The Orthodox Church was accepted by Constantine. Later on it reinstated something important to the byzantine art style; iconography. Icons and images were greatly used from the byzantine era onwards. This affected how Jesus was portrayed, as it allowed Jesus to be put into art. This caused controversy as many denied the use of icons as it was considered blasphemy according to one of the 10 commandments. Jesus, along with many figures, became 2D icons. At the beginning of the Byzantine art period, Monasticism was being widely practised, not only by Christians, but by many others within the empire. Jesus himself was like a monk, who had devoted his whole life to serving others, and serving God. As people possessed knowledge of this, they portrayed Jesus as a wise, and peaceful man. Many of these times, they used expensive materials, and different mediums to portray their concepts. In many artworks, Jesus is portrayed as a wise and holy man. The main features which define this include the halo around his head, the bible which he holds, and the expensive materials such as gold, the broken glass mosaics techniques and arrangements, and the richly coloured paints which have been used throughout the artworks.
Byzantine art differed from other art styles as it completely glorified God and Jesus. It is generally described as ornate (highly decorated) .Characterised by its concern with religious expression, especially when it comes to expressing religion theology through art, byzantine art highly stylised it's figures. During this art period, many church teachings and figures were put into imaginative terms such as the pictorial representation of Jesus Christ, Mother Mary (the Virgin Mary) and angels. These figures however, we're not portrayed as they appeared on Earth as the emphasis was on their religious souls.
Artists found that is was hard to depict Jesus. He was too powerful and mysterious and it would be too hard hard to do depict him in art. They added spiritual elements to make it more realistic such as - Halo, doves, crosses - they said that it was better and easier to depict Jesus by making mosaics in the Byzantine Empire. To signify Jesus they used bright glass and gold.
In this artwork, Jesus is being depicted as one who appears to be wise, and very intellectual and holy. This artwork shows Jesus holding a bible, having a halo around his head, and he is dressed in a bright garment, coloured in gold and blue. Many people started to live a simple life, most of them began to devote their works to spiritual works. Jesus, during this time was extremely respected, he was known as a teacher. Mosaics, broken glass and rich paint during this time were the most common mediums used in artworks. The audience can identify this artwork as being from the early Byzantium period, as the types of materials that were used.