In 330 AD, Constantine the Great moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Byzantium, renaming the city Constantinople. The Byzantine Empire lasted until the fall of Constantinople in 1453, influencing art and architecture throughout its territory. Byzantine art was primarily religious in nature, focused on glorifying Christianity through mosaics, frescoes, ivories, and architecture in churches. Key works included the Hagia Sophia, San Vitale, and the mosaics and frescoes of the Vladimir Virgin and Lamentation of Christ. Byzantine architecture used domes and Greek crosses and inspired later Islamic structures like the Alhambra and Great Mosque of Cordoba.

2.  In 330 A.D., the first Christian ruler of the Roman
empire, Constantine the Great transferred the ancient
imperial capital from Rome to the city of Byzantium
located on the easternmost territory of the European
continent, at a major intersection of east-west trade.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The emperor renamed this ancient port city
Constantinople.

3. The Western Empire fell in 400’s with an invasion
from the northern Germanic Tribes.
While, the Byzantium Empire (Eastern section) stayed
in tact over a years longer, till the fall of Constantinople
in 1453.
Constantinople was renamed by the Turks Istanbul,
which is the name it bears to this day.

4. The majority of the art in this period and place were
created for the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Cathedral of Christ the
Saviour in Moscow, the world's
tallest Orthodox church.

6.  Most important church of
time
 octagonal plan, central
dome is larger and richer in
spatial effects
Basilica of San Vitale

7. Plan, S. Vitale
 The Basicilican plan is almost
gone-domed central axis churches
dominated the east while the
Basilican plan dominated the west
 Below the Cleritory, nave wall is a
series of niches of at enter into aisle,
linking them together
 Aisle has been given a second story,
large windows in every level
Interior, S. Vitale

8.  Ideal of human beauty is much different than 4th and
5th century short, squat figures
 Now slim and tall, tiny feet, small almond-shaped
faces, huge starring eyes, bodies are used only for
displaying costumes, not moving-eternal present
rather than action
Emperor Justinian and Attendents, c. 547. S. Vitale

9.  Interior reflects the tall,
slenderness of the figures of
mosaics
Altar, S. Vitale

10. Hagia Sophia, Instambul, 532-537
 Most important monument of Justinian’s rule-
“The Church of Holy Wisdom”
 Architects- Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of
Miletus (minerates were added after the Turkish
conquest of 1453
Minarets
One of the minarets (at southwest)
was built from red brick while the
other three were built from white
limestone and sand stone

11.  All sense of weight
disappears in the interior
 Expanding, inflated space
 Light plays a key role
 Glitter of light and mosaic
create illusions of unreality
Interior, Hagia Sophia

12. Decorative marble columns were taken from
ancient buildings and reused to support the
interior arcades.

13. St. Mark’s, Venice, begun 1063
 Largest and most lavishly decorated church of the
2nd golden age
 Venice was under Byzantine sovereignty
 Greek cross plan, each arm has its own 5-domed
type
 Replication of the Church of the Holy Apostles at
Constantinople

14. Byzantine visual art began with mosaics
decorating the walls and domes of churches, as
well fresco wall-paintings.
Fresco is a technique of mural
painting executed upon freshly-
laid, or wet lime plaster.
PAINTINGS

15.  It was named “ The Vladimir Virgin”
because of its location in Vladimir,
which was the religious capital at that
time.
 The icon was painted, however, in
Constantinople by a Hellenic
iconographer .
 Some time during the 11th and
12th centuries.
 It turned up in Kiev, then the capital
city of Russia, in 1131, when
Byzantium was being ruled by the
Macedonian dynasty.
The Vladimir Virgin

16.  A fresco painting from the church of
Saint Panteleimon in Nerezi near Skopje,
in the Republic of Macedonia
 It is considered a superb example of
12th century Komnenian art
'The Lamentation of Christ' (1164)

17. Fresco painting of the
Birth of the Virgin,
1313–14.
Studenica Monastery,
Church of Saints
Joachim and Anna,
Kraljevo, Serbia.
Holding a model of the church
and standing with his wife
Simonis, 1313–14.
Studenica Monastery, Church of
Saints Joachim and Anna,
Kraljevo, Serbia, fresco
depicting King Stefan Uros II
Milutin (r. 1282–1321)

18. SCULPTURE
 A Byzantine masterpiece of ivory
carving. Ivory reliefs were the main form
of early Christian sculpture in
Constantinople.
 The Barberini ivory is a Byzantine ivory
leaf from an imperial diptych dating from
Late Antiquity, now in the Louvre Museum
in Paris.
 It represents the emperor as triumphant
victor.
Barberini Diptych (c.500-550)

19.  It was on display in the exonarthex
of the Hagia Sophia.
 It was originally located in the
Church of the Pantocrator that was on
the “fourth hill” of Constantinople.
 It contained the remains of the
Empress Eirene, the wife of the
emperor John II Comnenus (A.D.
1118-1143).
Byzantine sarcophagus

20. ARCHITECTURE
Byzantine architecture inspired Arab architects, and this one can see in the
masterpieces of Spanish architecture. The famous are:
Alhambra Palace at Granada

21. Great Mosque of Cordoba

23. I learn that Byzantine empire was religious state. The empire was not only the ruler of his
people but God’s representative on earth. The purpose of Byzantine art was to glorify the
Christian religious and express its mystery. It filled with a kind of spiritual symbolism
things on earth are meant to stand for the order of heaven. I was amazed on the style and
designs on the churches. Some of churches in the Philippines actually influence Byzantine
art like Dauis church was influenced by Byzantine and Romanesque architecture. On its
ceilings were frescoes painted by church artist Ray Francia in 1916. But it is sad to know
that this work of art was collapsed and damaged during 2013 Bohol 7.2 magnitude
earthquake. I was been part of cultural and historical importance of this church that there
was significance function and relation of every details in arts.
Prepared by:
Ybañez, Ma. Jennifer

24. Prepared by:
Garcia, Michelle
I learn that the Byzantine art made great contribution on the civilization. The Empire,
a bastion of Christianity and one of the prime trade centers in the world, helped to
shield Western Europe from early Muslim expansion. They preserved much of the
literary works and scientific knowledge of ancient Greece, Rome, and many other
cultures. Their literary works were Hymns and devotionals. It influence us in the
Philippines the culture and faith. Also in arts that uses different techniques and styles
of architectures in different churches.

25. Prepared by:
Montero, Kaitlyn Grace D.
My insights is I realize that this art will always remain because of the
discovery. I understand that their achievement were the monumental inside the
domed churches. Now, I can see and relate on how important the architectures
in many churches. The very best example of this is the Saint Catherines
Monastery of Mount Sinai were I can see the picture how old it is and how
important it is in the work of an art.