Early Christian and Byzantine Art

Greeks, and especially Romans produced art that was very realistic. Remember the beauty of the Greek and Roman sculpture

Whereas, early Christian art was more concerned with Symbolic Representation.

Early Christian Art 300AD-1000ADThree key points of Early Christian Art:Symbolic- express a religious thought or ideaFound on frescoed walls of catacombs outside RomeAcceptance of the Christian religion created a need for new architecture- starting in the 4th century

CatacombsThe catacombs are the ancient underground cemeteries, used by the Christian and the Jewish communities, above all at Rome. The Christian catacombs, which are the most numerous, began in the second century and the excavating continued until the first half of the fifth.Christians did not want to cremate their dead (as done by the Romans) due to their belief in bodily resurrection In the beginning they were only burial places. Here the Christians gathered to celebrate their funeral rites, the anniversaries of the martyrs and of the dead.http://www.catacombe.roma.it/en/storia.html

During the persecutions (until 313 A.D.), the catacombs were used for refuges for worship. Frescos were painted on the ceilings

Sarcophagus- A coffin, usually of stone, although sometimes made of wood, metal, or clay. In ancient times they were often decorated with carvings of the deceased or with some religious or mythological subject.

ConstantineConstantine was the first Roman ruler to become a follower of the Christian religion.Before Constantine's reign Christians were often punished for their religious beliefs. This changed when Constantine gave religious freedom to all Christians living in the Roman Empire. He also allowed members of the Christian Church to take part in the Roman government. The new freedom of worship helped spread Christianity into many regions of Europe.

Arch of Constantine

Byzantine 324 C.E.The Byzantine Empire, founded when the capital of the Roman Empire was transferred from Rome to Constantinople (today Istanbul) in 324 CE.Constantinople remained as the geographic and symbolic center of this cultural and political sphere until its conquest and collapse (1453).With the edict of Milan, promulgated by the emperors Constantine 313 CE, the Christians were no longer persecuted. They were free to profess their faith, to have places of worship and to build churches both inside and outside the city, and to buy plots of land, without fear of confiscation.

The early churches were called basilicas.A basilica is an early type of Christian cathedral or church. Basilicas have a very open floor plan and high ceilings. San Piero a GradoPisa. ItalySanta Costanza, Rome, Italy ca 350

Outside of the churches may appear plain but they are filled with beautiful mosaics (made of glass-tesserae)Much of Byzantine architecture was created to express religious experience and mediate between the believer and GodTherefore a high ceiling stressed the heavens above and created awe among its viewersLight was also an important featureGradually the exterior also became imaginative with the onion-shaped domes of Russian churchesThe Byzantine tradition of art and architecture lasted over 1000 years

Early St. PetersBelow: reconstruction drawing of St. Peters, Rome c. 333-390 CE plan of St. Peters, Rome right: elevation of interior of St. Peters Rome.

St. Pauls Outside the Walls, Rome, 385 C.E-interior (symbolized richness of spirit) highly decorated with mosaics of coloured glass and gold, and marble inlaid floors. -eighty granite columns in four rows direct the view to the triumphal arch (also covered in mosaics)-exteriors plain brick-alter placed on the raised portion, covered by a canopy of carved and painted wood called a baldachin-a triumphal arch separated nave from the apse, symbolized the victory of Christ over eternal death

Sculpture- not much was produced and most have been destroyedArchangel Michael -sixth century AD ,British Museum, LondonSmall ivory (42 cm)panel from a diptych. Draped figure of an archangel standing with orb in right hand, staff in left. Although the precision of the Archangel, his classical robes and the architectural elements framing the figure embody a focus on the realism of antiquity.-the angel seems to hover over the staircase, barely touching the stairs.Painstaking classical realism has been abandoned in favour of added emphasis on symbolism. -architectural setting is symbolic and ornamental not realistic

Golden Age Of Byzantine ArtHagia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom)Constantinople (Istanbul), 532-537 ADArchitects: Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletushttp://www.mcah.columbia.edu/ha/html/byzantine_turkey_hag_ahm_2.htm

The architects devised a system where arches were placed in the four walls and the circle of the dome rests on the four arches, a pendentives is formed in the four corners. The massive weight of the dome is supported by this spherical triangle, which transfers the thrust to the four huge piers that support it.pendentive - A concave, triangular piece of masonry (a triangle section of a hemisphere), four of which provide the transition from a square area to the circular base of a covering dome. Although they appear to be hanging (pendant) from the dome, they in fact support it.

St. Marks Venice-began 1063 This is the largest and most lavish decorated church in the Second Golden AgeIt was built to hold the body of St. MarkIt is based on a typical Greek cross planEach arm has a dome of its ownThe exterior has many mosaics

Fethiye Camii (Church of Pammakaristos), Interior view, ca. 1100, Istanbul (Turkey) http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/ha/related_sites/fethiye_camii_360/html/1.html

http://www.mcah.columbia.edu/ha/related_sites/fethiye_camii_360/index.html

Byzantine artByzantine art was very religious. Most Byzantine art was created for the Eastern Orthodox Church. Much Byzantine art was made by servants of the courts or members of religious orders. Most of these artists remained anonymous. Mosaics and Fresco paintings covered the domes of many churches. They were often made of precious materials such as lapis lazuli, gold and silver. Byzantine artists had to follow many rules about subject matter, content, and form. Symbolic representation was very important in Byzantine art. The subjects appear flat and fairly abstract compared to the liveliness and individualism of Western art because Byzantine artists used little shading or other techniques that would have made their subjects more lifelike.

Mosaics

Conveyed messages of salvation through mosaicsThey achieved an incredible degree of expressiveness in this mediumRoman mosaics were made of polished, coloured stone, but Byzantine mosaics were made of brightly coloured glass (tesserae) pressed into wet plasterThe glass pieces were set on a slight angle to reflect the light. Green and gold are used most often, but there are also scarlets, purples and blues

The Emperor Justinian and his AttendantsThe Empress Theodora and her Attendants, c. 547 AD, mosaic, Ravenna,

These mosaics are companion panels of depicting the Emperor Justinian and his Attendants, and Empress Theodora and her attendants. Both are located in the apse, which flanks the altar, of the church of San Vitale.

Lots of gold glass tesserae.They portray the emperor and empress as semi-divine rulers bringing gifts at the dedication of San Vitale (The figures are stiff and stylized, including: full frontal viewpoints, elongation of the figure, and stylization of faces with large eyes and almond shape faces, and decorative costumes. Strong use of symbolism- bread and wine of Eucharist. Halo to show that Justinian is Gods holy representative on earth and therefore holy himself.

Mosaic-A picture or design made of tiny pieces (called tesserae) of coloured stone, glass, tile or paper adhered to a surface. It is typically decorative work for walls, vaults, ceilings or floors, the tesserae set in plaster or concrete.

Mosiacs of Hagia Sophia The mosaic were scrapped off the wall and covered with plaster by the Moslems when the converted the church into a mosque. This was due to the fact their religion does not permit likenesses of peopleSome mosaics have been uncoveredAlso the Iconoclastic Controversy happened in the Christian religion as well for over for over 100 years (725 to 842 CE) and no art was produced in this period. After this period we have the second Golden Age of Byzantine. The plans of churches were based on the Greek cross, such a St. Marks discussed before .

Painting in the Middle AgesThey had a strong tradition of paintingMost paintings were icons (religious images) painted on wooden panels.Often used as worship centers in homeThe interiors of the churches also were decorated with icons.Byzantine painting was colourful and emotional.Artists used egg tempera as their mediumFigures were painted against a brilliant gold backgroundTriptych (three hinged pieces) Diptych (two hinged pieces) were examples of the portable art of the Byzantine era

Christ Icon, St. Catherines Monastery, c. 6th cent. CE, Sinai, Egypt.

Enthroned Madonna and Child (13th century)(131 x77 cm)Typical of Byzantine styleThe Madonna floats rather than sits on her throne.The Christ child seems to be resting securely on her arm.Meaning and emotion are more important than the depiction of reality.The use of gold backgrounds heightens the effect of otherworldliness and transcendence

National Gallery of Canada Jacopo di Cione Triptych of the Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints (1370 - 1380 ) Ugolino di Nerio St. Anne and the Infant Virgin (1330 - 1335 )

Migration Artornamental metalwork, usually pins to hold garments, often inlaid with precious stonesPurse Cover (7th century)-garnets, glass, enamel and gold- geometric on top- man between two beasts and eagles seizing two ducks

The term manuscript translates from Latin as made by hand. Illumination comes from the Latin word illuminare meaning light up.These illuminated manuscripts were so called because of their frequent incorporation of gold or sometimes silver leaf onto the page. Decoration with drawings, usually in gold, silver, and rich colors, especially in the initial letters of manuscripts, particularly those done during the Middle Ages. A manuscript, produced during the Middle Ages, in which the pages are decorated this way. Often these manuscripts contain small pictures known as illuminations or miniatures. Illuminated Manuscript?

Christian faith was bound by the authority of sacred writings, and it placed increasing importance on the production of books and their illumination. Some fragments of the biblical text, written in silver and gold on purple vellum and sumptuously illuminated, are still preserved). Foremost of these is the Vienna Genesis, a manuscript of the first half of the 6th cent.

German, Hildesheim, ca. 11701407AD Latin Bible from Belgium

Medieval Scribes

GothicEuropean Gothic 1200-1400

EuropePeace between England and FranceIntermarriage of various royal familiesPopes victory over the Holy Roman Empire13th century culturally belonged to FranceGothic Architecture- Chartes and Riems

Gothic StyleGothic art is a term given to an art period that flourished in Europe during the late medieval period, early in the twelfth century. Originating from the Ilse-du France (the area now known as Paris) Gothic art followed the Romanesque time period and eventually spread across most of Europe before being succeeded by the Renaissance. Architecture dominates Gothic art and is particularly associated with cathedrals and other churches. Throughout this time period, there is a gradual shift from architecture to sculpture and painting.

Chatres CathedralUnified- but it took 4 centuries to buildWest towers similar but different( built 50 years apart)Huge and important to communityFlying buttresses eliminated the need for heavy solid Romanesque wallsallowed for huge window walls of stain glass-situated along the clerestory level- wondrous effectsculpture faced the outside world- clustered around entrance ways- 2000 carved figuresPointed Spires- element of Gothic Architecture

Gothic styleARCHITECTURE:Gothic cathedrals are generally very large to portray the greatness of God and the magnitude of the world, also making the viewer feel very small. There is an emphasis on verticality suggesting an aspiration to Heaven or the gods. New advances in building technology made these huge cathedrals possible. It is easily identifiable because of its unique vocabulary:

pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, cluster piers, stained glass windows.

Riems 2011- CB Exchange trip

ribbed vaultsRose Window and Stain Glass

Notre DameFrance, 1163 continued 100 yearsnever completed- two front towers were suppose to be bases for two impressive spirespointed archesribbed vaultsbig clerestory windowsheavy columns seem Romanesque- visual rhythmhuge rose windowdelicate tower at crossing

Flying Buttressesthe thrust of the vault transferred to flying arches to massive towers outside the building- eliminating need for heavy thick wallsChartes cathedralNotre Dame

Notre Dame- Rose WindowRose window: A large round window on the west faade or transept, containing tracery that became more elaborate as the Gothic era progressed. Usually placed over the main door. Beautiful examples occur at Notre-Dame in Paris and Chartres.

Stained GlassStained glass: Colored windows of Gothic cathedrals made from a combination of many pieces of colored and semi-transparent white glass joined together with lead strips. Colors were generated by adding specific metal oxides, which illuminated the glass with bright red, blue, green, and yellow tones. The function of stained glass was to fill the cathedral with light in windows which also fulfilled a narrative and illustrative purpose, in representing Biblical events and the lives of saints. Patrons and workers guilds who helped fund the construction of the cathedral were also portrayed Gothic style on stained glass windows was increasing. Stained glass became a narrative medium, and church windows, and were a ready source of instruction for the illiterate population.

Pointed ArchesNotre DameChartesArch: Curved masonry construction that spans an opening such as a portal or window. Pointed arches were a feature of the Gothic era, that evolved from the round Romanesque arches. Allowed for greater height and more open area- changed thrust of vault to a more vertical direction

Gargoyles: A water sprout terminating in a grotesquely carved figure of a human or animal, and projecting from the gutter of a cathedral such as Notre-Dame in Paris.

In fact, gargoyles are the little, vaguely-tube-shaped sculptures that direct rainwater away from the cathedral; they are everywhere on the structure, sticking straight out from the building (in order to throw rainwater as clear of the cathedral as possible).

Chimeras (sometimes referred to as a "Grotesque". , in contrast to Gargoyles, are grotesque sculptures that combine the body parts of several different animals and are intended for decoration only; the sculptures shown in this picture are thus chimeras, not gargoyles.

This is the gallery that connects the two towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral. It is visible from the ground as the highest gallery connecting the two towers on the facade of the cathedral

Where are these gargoyles and Grotesques?

Continuation of Gothic ArchitectureLeadership in Architecture goes from France to EnglandAlso non religious architecture- remarkable roof carpentry- Westminster Hall-1394-1400

Illuminated manuscriptsLiteracyGuildFrescosPanel paintingsLimbourg Brothers (1412-16) Simone Martini (1285-1344)PAINTING

Preoccupation with mortalityObviously after the plagueGreat masterpieces belong to this -Cult of the Dead-especially Rhineland (Germany) Flanders, and BurgundyForbidding themes of Judgement, Evil Conscience and DeathBook of Hours- France "The Three Living and the Three Dead" Medieval depiction of the plague episode of A.D 1346 [The Black Death]

More Book of HoursBegan by brothers Limbourg for the Duke of Berry 1n 1413 and left incomplete in 1416 due to their death- the Dukes castle is seen in the September page. France was known for their magnificiant castles

Italy was prosperous due to trade- cross over form Gothic to RenaissanceCimabue Gothic-Madonna of Sana Trinita-1200Giotto 1310- Grandfather of the Renaissance

Martini-The Angel of the Annunciation after 1339 Martini-The Carrying of the Cross 1325-35

Guidoriccio da Foglianoemotional range- in recognition of his victories over the Florentines- he is isolated in the barren and unpeopled landscape

*No sculpture in the round- bas relief