Essays on Byzantine Art

http://www.euratlas.com/Atlas/northern_italy/ravenna_san_vitale.html San Vitale is an Early Byzantine centrally planned, octagonal church, used initially as a martyrium for the local martyr Vitalis. It is the most elaborate interlinking of the strands of politics, church, and art in Ravenna in Italy. Ravenna was the seat of Byzantine Italy until the 8th century. The basilica of San Vitale was built as part of the Justinian project to reform the Empire. Justinian’s major aim was the restoration of the former Empire. He inaugurated new programs in the fields of administration, army, justice, and architecture. His ambition was to fill the Empire with ...

The Brooklyn Museum holds an interesting art collection with artworks from the ancient world to the contemporary period. The artifacts originate from regions worldwide. A visitor has the opportunity to see the long-term exhibitions, but also the current ones and touring. The long-term exhibition of European Art is located at the Beaux-Arts Court at the third floor and includes artworks from the period of Early Renaissance to World War II. These include mainly paintings, prints, sculptures in mediums such as marble, bronze, and plaster. This essay aims to present some of the basic painting principles of the Early Renaissance ...

Byzantine Art dominated during the reign of Emperor Constantine. The primary characteristic of the Byzantine art is religious. All the images created by the Byzantine artisans strongly links to the existence of religion in their lives. In an era lacking scientific knowledge, any viewer of art will eventually conclude how strong the influence of Christianity on Byzantine art was. For instance, the Byzantine relief titled, Icon with the Koimesis (see fig. 1) which dates back to 900 A.D. tells the story of the death of the Virgin Mary; her death was lamented by the apostles of Christ. The image ...