Presentation on the topic "Byzantine art". "Middle Ages

  • 16.04.2024

THE WORLD OF BYZANTINE CULTURE Byzantium, the heir of antiquity, also experienced the influence of the culture of the peoples of the East, managing to creatively rework their artistic traditions. From Egypt she inherited artistic textile painting, wood and bone carvings, from Asia Minor - a type of domed basilica, and learned court ceremonial from the Persians. And yet, Byzantium was destined to leave its own mark on the history of world art. Byzantine masters achieved a synthesis of mosaic and fresco paintings. Iconography was born here, subordinate to the canons followed by the painters of Western Europe and Ancient Rus'. There were significant achievements in literature, book miniatures, music and decorative and applied arts.


ACHIEVEMENTS OF BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE Byzantine churches are called Basilica in Greek. “royal house” Unlike other temples, Byzantine ones allowed the presence of people, they became centers of worship. All temples are oriented to the east, since, according to Christians, Jerusalem was located there - the center of the earth. Later, a new type of church became increasingly important - the cross-domed one, which has the shape of a cross in plan with a dome in the center.


HAGIA SOPHIA CATHEDRAL The highest achievement of Byzantine architecture is the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople, which connected the basilica with a domed ceiling. The temple was erected by two architects - Anthymius and Isidore. The architects coped with this task brilliantly. The temple, located in the center of the city, on the highest hill, is far visible from the Bosphorus. According to eyewitnesses, “it rises in height as if to the sky and, like a ship on the high waves of the sea








THE FLICKING LIGHT OF MOSAICS The mosaics of Byzantium gained world fame. Using ancient manufacturing technology, the craftsmen found a special technology. Pieces of matte or transparent smalt, or stone cubes were fixed to the base at different angles. This caused the rays of the sun or the light of a candle to flash, reflect and sparkle with gold, purple and blue.


HISTORY IN THE LIGHT The images on the walls told about the main events of Christian history. Numerous images of Christ, prophets and angels, scenes from the Holy Scriptures and glorification of the power of the emperor became favorite themes and subjects of Byzantine mosaics. Their golden background also had a special meaning. Firstly, it is a symbol of wealth and luxury, and secondly, one of the brightest colors, it created the effect of a sacred radiance around the depicted figures.





THE ART OF ICON PAINTING Icon painting was the largest artistic phenomenon in the Eastern Christian world. Byzantine culture not only became the beginning of some national cultures (for example, Old Russian), but also influenced the iconography of other Orthodox countries: Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Rus', Georgia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt. The culture of Italy, especially Venice, was also influenced by Byzantium.
MUSICAL CULTURE Only church music has reached us. Secular music was preserved only in the form of “recitation” of the palace ceremony and a few melodies. They sang a cappella. Three vocal methods: solemn reading of Gospel texts with singing along, singing psalms and hymns, hallelujah singing. The oldest document of singing dates back to the 4th century. With the increase in the pomp of church services in the XIII-XIV centuries. the flowering of musical art begins.


END Materials were taken from: 1) 2) 3) 4) © 2016

"The Art of Byzantium"– a presentation preceding a series of presentations dedicated to the art of Ancient Rus'. Since the origins of ancient Russian art are connected with the artistic culture of Byzantium, I decided to start talking about it with a short story about art of Byzantium.

The previous post on my site was dedicated.

Art of Byzantium

When the Kiev prince Vladimir decided to put an end to paganism, it was the feeling of beauty that influenced his choice of faith! Everyone knows the story about the prince’s ambassadors who visited different lands, became acquainted with different beliefs and spoke with admiration about the Orthodox service in the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople: “They didn’t know where we were - in heaven or on earth.”

The innate sense of beauty, the desire for beauty, captured in the chronicle legend about the choice of faith, allowed the Russian people to perceive and use the artistic system of Byzantium for their creative purposes.

In 330-335 The Roman Emperor Constantine founded the city of Constantinople in Asia Minor, which became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantium.

In architecture, as in other forms of art, two traditions are combined: ancient and oriental. The first Christian churches built in Byzantium were basilicas.

Basilica

Basilica is a building divided inside by longitudinal rows of columns or pillars into three or five parts (naves). As a rule, the middle nave is higher and wider than the side ones.

In the eastern part of the basilica, ending in a semicircular projection (apse), there was an altar, in the western part there was an entrance. The longitudinal naves were intersected by a transept, located closer to the eastern facade, so that the building had the shape of a cross in plan - the main symbol of Christianity.

The dome symbolizes the vault of heaven. The semi-cylindrical vaults adjacent to the dome, intersecting, also form a cross, but of equal ends.

Saint Sophie Cathedral

The first example of the Byzantine style in architecture was the domed basilica in the name of St. Sophia (Divine Wisdom) with three apses, built during the reign of Emperor Justinian (483-565) by Anthemius of Thrall and Isidore of Miletus.

The central spherical dome of the Church of St. Sophia rests on four powerful pillars. Two more hemispheres adjoin it from the east and west. Each, in turn, ends with three small hemispheres, creating a special rhythm of curvilinear outlines.

At the base of the dome there are forty windows with such narrow piers that they dissolve in the sun's rays, demonstrating the desire of Byzantine architects to dematerialize form. This optical illusion gave rise to the legend that the dome of St. Sophia is suspended from the sky by a golden chain and is supported by angels.

Sophia Cathedral remained the highest achievement of Byzantine architecture: nothing equal to it was created over the next nine centuries of Byzantine history.

Iconography

Byzantine artists developed stable iconographic canons that had a strong influence on Christian art of subsequent eras. Pantocrator was usually depicted in the dome of the temple, and one of the iconographic types of the Mother of God was depicted in the apse.

Scenes from Scripture, such as the Ascension or the Nativity of Christ, were reproduced on the walls. The figures of the evangelists decorate the sails, since the Christian church rests on the four Gospels they wrote, just as the dome of a temple rests on pillars with the help of sails.

Painting, compared to mosaics, occupied a more modest position, and therefore was less subject to canonical requirements. This gave artists greater creative freedom.

It was in Byzantine culture, with its inherent veneration of sacred images, that the tradition of icon painting developed. Icons - picturesque images of Christ, the Mother of God and saints (usually from the front) - are created mainly on wooden boards in strict accordance with the canon.

Sculpture

In sculpture, the leading genre was relief, which was embodied in both stone and ivory. Diptychs - ivory plates decorated with reliefs of religious and secular subjects - became widespread.

Jewelry Art

Constantinople was famous for its jewelers' products. Skilled artisans carried out orders from the imperial court and wealthy aristocrats, who preferred jewelry made of gold or silver with precious stones.

The “Byzantine style” was widespread far beyond the borders of Byzantium. Many states embraced her artistic traditions. Byzantium played a very fruitful role in the artistic development of Ancient Rus'.

Another wonderful course has appeared on the Arzamas.Academy website. I recommend!

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Lecture plan Topic 9. The art of Byzantium 2 Historical features of the formation of the Byzantine Empire, their influence on the culture of Byzantium Christianity as the dominant artistic culture of Byzantium The artistic system of Byzantium. Architecture, fine arts.

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Requirements for knowledge, skills and abilities 3 As a result, the student must acquire: personal competencies in communicative and general cultural aspects; ability to carry out independent professional activities, including mastering the skills of creating, understanding and analyzing scientific cultural and art texts.

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Requirements for knowledge, skills and abilities 4 As a result, the student must: - know the main stages of the history of the development of Byzantine art, - be able to classify and identify the belonging of works to various types and forms of art, - have the skills to analyze works of art of that time.

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Key concepts 5 Basilica Icon painting Iconostasis Book miniature Cross-domed type of temple Dome composition Mosaic Fresco Temple architecture Temple art

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The artistic system of Byzantium

Division of Rome into the Western Empire and Byzantium. Fall of the Western Roman Empire. Byzantium as an independent state. Early Christian art of the Eastern Roman Empire (V-VI centuries). Development of the Byzantine artistic system based on the totality of spiritual culture. One of the fundamental ideas of the Middle Ages was the idea of ​​a union - the Christian church and the Christian empire.

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Early Christian art

Creation and design of the parchment codex. Basic compositional principles of book miniatures. In the Byzantine art system, a new worldview found expression in architecture. Development of new forms in architecture. The basilica is the main type of temple in the Eastern Roman Empire. Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome (360). Distribution of centric buildings. The emergence of the cross-dome type of religious buildings.

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Architecture of Byzantium

The history of the development of the architectural traditions of Byzantium can be divided into three periods: The first, early Byzantine, period began in the 5th century and lasted until the 8th century. The second, Middle Byzantine period, which lasted for seven centuries (VIII - XIII centuries). The third, late Byzantine (XIII - XV centuries), is characterized by the abandonment of monumental temples and the transition to the construction of small structures of exquisite architecture.

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Art of Byzantium

The time of the highest dawn is considered to be the early Byzantine period, especially the years 527-565, which was the reign of Emperor Justinian I. It was then that Byzantium turned into a huge empire, spreading to the Adriatic, Italy, and Greece.

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Byzantine art under Justinian the Great

The emergence of the Byzantine artistic style. The idea of ​​multiple chapters in Christian worship. The domed basilica is a new image of a religious building - a combination of a basilica church and a cross-domed one. Mosaic interior decor. Distribution of the icon as a decorative decoration of churches. Fayum portrait as a prototype of an icon. Cult functions of the icon. Icon painting technique.

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The main contribution of Byzantium to the development of world architecture is the creation of domed compositions of temples, which led to the emergence of new types of buildings. Among them it is necessary to mention the domed basilica, the centric church with a dome on eight supports, as well as the cross-domed Basilica system in Turmanin (Syria) of the 5th century. facade, section diagram Training material 11

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Architecture of Byzantium

The wooden trusses of early Christian basilicas were interspersed with stone arched lintels, as in the Turmanin Basilica. This basilica is also interesting because the main entrance is located between two towers. This technique will be picked up and developed by Romanesque and Gothic architecture in Europe.

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With the transition and construction of buildings of centric composition, the development of domed and vaulted structures occupied a leading place in Byzantium. Eastern builders erected vaults and domes without the use of formwork using monolithic masonry in inclined rows. For such a technique, brick plinth was the most suitable material. The low strength properties of the mortar forced the vaults to be made very thick, which often led to their collapse, especially with large spans.

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Figure Formation of Byzantine floor systems: a - Roman cross vault; b - vaulted vault on four supports; c - vaulted vault on eight supports; g - dome on sails; d - dome on sails with expansion damping by side half-domes; e - cross-dome ceiling system. Training material Cross-domed type of temple 14

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Cross-domed type of temple

The main forms of Byzantine ceilings were a hemisphere and a semi-cylindrical vault, convenient for construction using a device in the form of a lath or rope of constant length, fixed at one end in the geometric center of the span; the other end marked the position of each row of masonry. In order to balance the sail-dome system, additional volumes were introduced into the spatial scheme of the building, completed with vaults or semi-domes, extinguishing the thrust of the central structure.

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This is how the leading structural systems of Byzantium developed. On their basis, various types of Christian religious buildings were developed: churches, mausoleums, baptisteries of centric composition, domed basilicas, cross-domed churches.

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Architecture of Byzantium

The first centric buildings of the Christian church in Byzantium indicate only the beginning of the search for constructive means of expressing the idea of ​​unity of church and state in the person of the emperor. Cathedral of St. Sophia in Constantinople, conceived as the ideological center of a huge empire, was supposed to eclipse the Roman Pantheon with its splendor.

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Hagia Sophia Hagia Sophia Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (532-537)

Hagia Sophia, built during the time of Emperor Justinian, is a symbol of the “golden age” of Byzantium

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Cathedral of St. Sofia

The bold constructive design and thoughtful composition of the temple (architects Isidore of Miletus and Anthimius of Thrall) were brought to life with great difficulties due to the lack of experience in constructing such grandiose structures, the imperfection of construction technology and the massiveness of the structures. The cathedral building, measuring 75x72 m in plan and 57 m high to the top of the dome, is a domed basilica with a middle nave 31 m wide. The central dome is supported by sails on powerful supports, each measuring 5.3x7.5 m in plan.

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In the longitudinal direction, the thrust from the dome is extinguished by a system of semi-domes, in the transverse direction - by powerful buttresses and two-tiered side naves. Training material 20

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Cathedral of St. Sofia

The vast space of the main nave was separated from the side nave by arched colonnades, giving scale to the interior and attractiveness to various angles of the picturesque perspectives of the interior space. The cathedral is penetrated by rays of light from the windows located at the top, and the giant dome seems to float in the air without support - the light penetrating through the frequent windows of the drum, as if dematerializes its walls.

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Monasteries and churches of Byzantium

Of greatest interest are the monasteries located outside the city limits, sometimes at some distance from the city. They are quite complex and well-fortified complexes, surrounded by high walls. In the central part of the monastery there was a church - the tallest building that could be seen from any point on the territory of the monastery and when approaching the monastery gates. The dwellings were a building with long corridors, from which there were numerous passages into narrow rooms. In addition, on the territory of the monastery there were various utility and storage buildings, and sometimes a library building. They were built taking into account the relief, surrounding nature and other structures and therefore looked harmonious, that is, they were a single spatial composition - an ensemble. The domes of the first churches had supports in the form of sails and girth arches

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Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (first half of the 5th century)

  • Slide 24

    Mausoleum

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    Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

    The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia received its name in honor of the untimely deceased daughter of Emperor Theodosius the Great. In fact, it is not a mausoleum, since Galla Placidia is buried in Rome.

    Slide 26

    During the glorious reign of Emperor Justinian I, Italy was temporarily recaptured from the barbarians. To commemorate this event, a church dedicated to the holy martyr Vitaly (San Vitale) was built in the former capital of the Ostrogoth king Theodoric, the city of Ravenna. Educational material Church of San Vitale in Ravenna (mid-6th century) 26

    Slide 27

    Church of San Vitale in Ravenna

    The Church of San Vitale is an example of a centric building; the plan is octagonal with a faceted altar. The basis of the structure is made up of 8 supports supporting the dome. The supports are connected by semicircular two-story arches. Like all early Christian churches, it surprises with the contrast between the rich interior decoration and the ascetic to the point of poverty exterior. The monotony of its facades is broken only by powerful counterforts. This is a typical example of internal architecture, as if emphasizing that it is not the outer shell that is important, but only the inner essence, that this is a place for gathering believers, prayers and church services. The interior of the church is magnificent: lacy capitals of the columns, countless arches, continuous mosaic of the walls, the predominant color is gold.

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    Arts and crafts

    Emperor Constantine, 6th century agate cameo in a 14th-15th century gilt frame, approx. 25 cm. National Library. Paris

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    Emperor-triumphant

    Emperor-triumphant, so-called "Barberini ivory", VI century, 34 x 26.8 cm. Louvre, Paris

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    "Macedonian Renaissance"

    The great Slavic enlighteners Cyril and Methodius. The classic completion of the structural system of the cross-domed form of the temple in the 9th-10th centuries. The highest achievement of Byzantine art of the Macedonian dynasty is cloisonné enamel on gold.

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    Iconography

    By the 10th century In Byzantine fine art, in particular in painting, an iconographic canon was finally formed - strict rules for depicting all scenes of religious content and images of saints, as well as a stable canon in the depiction of a person. The aesthetics of contemplative peace, solemn tranquility, and unearthly orderliness entailed the creation of a stable and unchanging iconography. Iconographic types and subjects have remained almost unchanged for centuries. The deep spiritualism of the aesthetic views of the Byzantine aristocratic society did not, however, lead the art of Byzantium completely into the world of naked abstraction.

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    Art during the reign of the Komnenos

    XI-XII centuries Massive construction of monasteries. The emergence of a unique type of temple - triconcha. The increasing importance of paintings. The composition of the multifaceted symbolism of the organization of the internal space of the temple. The place of the iconostasis in the decoration of the temple. Byzantine canon of iconography.

    Slide 33

    manuscript of “Words” of John Chrysostom

    The 11th century was a period of extraordinary growth in book illustration. The center for the creation of truly magnificent codices was the imperial scriptorium in Constantinople. Here, real masterpieces of book miniatures were created by order of the emperors. These include the manuscript of the “Words” of John Chrysostom, made for Emperor Nikephoros Botaniates (1078-1081). One of the miniatures depicts Nikephoros Votanian himself in a magnificent

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    Mosaics Hosios Lucas

    The mosaics of Hosios Loukas appeared almost simultaneously with the mosaics of Nea Moni - in the second quarter. 11th century, but they belong to a completely different artistic circle. The decorative system itself already has a number of specific features indicating the local, provincial origin of the monument.

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    In terms of mosaic style, Hosios Loukas represent a typically monastic, provincial art full of severe asceticism. Short, large-headed figures are presented in frozen, frontal poses, large eyes give their faces a stern, concentrated expression, colorful modeling is replaced by a purely flat interpretation, there is no slightest hint of the characteristics of a specific space, hard, angular, dry lines prevail everywhere. The compositions are spread out on a plane, having something motionless in them and easily breaking up into individual components. The coloring is in dull colors, dominated by a gloomy black background. Among Greek mosaics, those of Hosios Loukas are the most archaic. They lie apart from the line of development of Constantinople art, being closely connected with old, purely Eastern traditions.

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    Meeting of the Lord. Naos mosaic. Catholicon of the monastery of Hosios Loukas in Phokis. Byzantium, 1030s

    Mary holds the baby Christ with both hands and conveys His rights. Simeon. Simeon receives the Savior with his hidden hands as a sign of special reverence. The baby holds out his hands to him. Joseph follows Mary, holding two turtle doves. Behind Simeon is the prophetess Anna with a scroll.

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    Meeting of the Lord. Naos mosaic. Catholicon of the Monastery of Hosios Loukas in Phokis

    The scene takes place inside the temple, which is indicated by the image of the canopy of the sanctuary and a cloth thrown in front of the entrance to the sanctuary, decorated with a golden cross, as on the cover of the Throne. The composition is made symmetrically. Standing female figures alternate with moving male ones, and the colors of their clothes also alternate: shades of white in the clothes of Joseph and Simeon and dark blue and purple colors of the Maforians in Mary and Anna.

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    Mosaic "Christ Pantocrator"

    Mosaic "Christ Pantocrator (Pantocrator)", c. 1320, Church of Christ the Savior in Kore, Istanbul (Türkiye)

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    Gospel scenes

    Gospel scenes occupy an extremely limited space; individual figures of saints predominate, somewhat chaotically scattered throughout the temple. This violates the strict architectural character of the decoration, which is typical of Constantinople art.

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    The dome represents the Pantocrator, surrounded by four archangels, the Virgin Mary and the Forerunner, in the drum - 16 prophets (almost nothing has survived from this part of the decoration, replaced by frescoes in the 16th century), in the apse - the seated Virgin Mary with the Child, in the recess of the apse windows - enclosed in Deisis medallions, in the hipped vault above the throne - the Descent of the Holy Spirit, on the triumphal arch - two archangels, in the niches of the naos - four church fathers, in the trompos of the Annunciation (lost), the Nativity of Christ, the Presentation of the Lord, Baptism. The narfic depicts four scenes - the Washing of the Feet, the Crucifixion, the Descent into Hell, and the Assurance of Thomas.

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    Iconography

    Mosaic icon of the 12th–early 13th century. 34x23 cm. The icon is one of the rarest mosaic images in Sinai. It was probably sent from Constantinople, where one of the few centers for the production of such icons existed. Expensive mosaic icons required special and sophisticated craftsmanship, so the surviving monuments, almost without exception, are of the highest artistic level.

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    Mosaic icon of the 12th–early 13th century

    The image was composed of the smallest cubes of specially prepared glassy smalt, which usually numbered more than a hundred shades and made it possible to convey the finest pictorial effects. The icons were originally created as gate images of the chapel, glorifying the Sinai revelations to Moses and the main shrine of the monastery. Under the altar throne in the chapel, pilgrims can still touch this living relic.

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    Moses at the Burning Bush

    This image is paired with another icon, “Moses Receiving the Tablets,” which is identical in size and style of writing, revealing the hand of the same icon painter. Now the icons are located above the southern and northern entrances to the chapel of the Burning Bush, adjacent from the east to the altar apse of the basilica and erected on the legendary site of the epiphany to Moses in a burning but unburnt bush. Slide 47

    At the beginning of the 13th century, a type of hagiographic icons appeared in which the image of the saint in the center (in the middle) was surrounded by stamps depicting the events of his life. In icon painting, a moment of literature and storytelling appears. On the icon in the middle we see St. Catherine in royal clothes - she came from the royal family. In her right hand she holds a red cross - a symbol of martyrdom. On the stamps you can see various scenes in the upper register.

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    Our Lady Hodegetria

    Icon. Thessalonica (?), second half of the 14th century. Wood, tempera. 109 x 46 cm. Origin: Veroia, icon of the templon of the Church of Pantocrator. Location: Byzantine Museum, Veroia, Greece.

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    Iconography

    Unlike the Muslim East, where the primacy of the spiritual over the carnal led to the dominance of geometricism and ornamental forms in the fine arts, replacing the image of man, in the art of Byzantium man still remained at the center of artistic creativity. After the victory over the iconoclasts in art, they again turned to Hellenism, but with a deep processing of its traditions in order to increase the spirituality of artistic creativity. If the pagan world glorified the physical beauty of man, then Byzantine art glorified his spiritual greatness and ascetic purity.

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    "Palaeologian Renaissance"

    The rise of Byzantine culture at the turn of the XIII-XIV centuries. “Palaeologian Renaissance” as a return to what was lost. Transformation of the temple from one-domed to six-domed. Features of Paleologian painting. Strengthening the secular principle. Increasing interest in ancient heritage in architectural and landscape compositions. The revival of hesychast ideas in the 14th and early 15th centuries. Establishment in art of the ascetic image of the saint.

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    Late Byzantine period of art

    The 15th century is the time of decline of Byzantine culture. The fall of Constantinople and the end of the Byzantine state. The meaning of Byzantine art. The influence of the artistic culture of Byzantium of the Palaiologan period on the art of the Proto-Renaissance in Florence, Venetian art of the Trecento era and Rossi as its spiritual heir.

    Slide 52

    Questions for self-test 52 Name the directions in which the development of early Christian art of the Eastern Roman Empire took place. List the main features of the Byzantine artistic style during the reign of Justinian the Great. What were the main achievements of Byzantine art during the Macedonian Renaissance? Reveal the symbolic meaning of the organization of the internal space of the temple during the time of the Komnenos. Tell us about the features of the fine arts of the “Palaeologian Renaissance”.

    Slide 53

    Recommended reading 53 Velmans T. The Byzantine World. Temple architecture and painting / T. Velmans, V. Korac, M. Shuput. - M.: White City, 2006. - 528 p. Weiss G. History of culture of the peoples of the world. Arab conquests. The Rise of Byzantium - M.: Eksmo, 2005. - 144 p. Gnedich P. P. History of arts. Painting. Sculpture. Architecture: modern version - M.: Eksmo, 2007. - 848 p. Shalina I. A. Relics in Eastern Christian iconography / I. A. Shalina. - M.: Indrik, 2005. - 536 p.

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    54 Use of presentation materials Use of this presentation can only be carried out subject to the requirements of the laws of the Russian Federation on copyright and intellectual property, as well as taking into account the requirements of this Statement. The presentation is the property of the authors. You may print a copy of any part of the presentation for your personal, non-commercial use, but you may not reprint any part of the presentation for any other purpose or make changes to any part of the presentation for any reason. Use of any part of the presentation in another work, whether in print, electronic or other form, or use of any part of the presentation in another presentation by reference or otherwise, is permitted only after obtaining the written consent of the authors.

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    Periods of the history of Byzantine art and their characteristics early Christian period (the so-called pre-Byzantine culture, I-III centuries) early Christian period (the so-called pre-Byzantine culture, I-III centuries) III centuries III centuries early Byzantine period, the “golden age” of Emperor Justinian I, architecture of the Holy Temple Sophia in Constantinople and Ravenna mosaics (VI-VII centuries) early Byzantine period, the "golden age" of Emperor Justinian I, architecture of the Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople and Ravenna mosaics (VI-VII centuries)Temple of Hagia SophiaConstantinopolravennaVII centuriesTemple of Hagia SophiaConstantinopolravennaVII centuries iconoclastic period (VIII- beginning of the 9th century). Emperor Leo III the Isaurian (717741), founder of the Isaurian dynasty, issued an Edict banning icons. This period was called the “dark time” largely by analogy with a similar stage in the development of Western Europe. iconoclastic period (8th-early 9th centuries). Emperor Leo III the Isaurian (717741), founder of the Isaurian dynasty, issued an Edict banning icons. This period was called the “dark time” in many respects by analogy with a similar stage in the development of Western Europe. Leo III the Isaurian717741Western EuropeLeo III the Isaurian717741Western Europe Macedonian Renaissance period () It is generally considered to be the classical period of Byzantine art. The 11th century was the highest point of prosperity. Information about the world was drawn from the Bible and from the works of ancient authors. The harmony of art was achieved through strict regulation. period of the Macedonian Renaissance () It is generally considered to be the classical period of Byzantine art. The 11th century was the highest point of prosperity. Information about the world was drawn from the Bible and from the works of ancient authors. The harmony of art was achieved through strict regulation XI century Bible XI century Bible period of conservatism under the emperors of the Komnenos dynasty () period of conservatism under the emperors of the Komnenos dynasty () Komnenos period of the Palaiologan Renaissance, revival of Hellenistic traditions (). the period of the Paleologian Renaissance, the revival of Hellenistic traditions ().Paleologovsky Paleologovsky


















    Pala d'Oro, XXII centuries. cloisonné enamel. 334×251 cmCathedral of St. Mark's, Venice XXIICathedral of St. Mark'sVeniceXXIICathedral of St. Mark'sVenice




























    Contents Byzantine art in the 5th-7th centuries Byzantine art in the 5th-7th centuries Byzantine art in the 5th-7th centuries Byzantine art in the 5th-7th centuries Mosaics of Ravenna Mosaics of Ravenna Mosaics of Ravenna Mosaics of Ravenna Mosaics of the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo Mosaics of the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare- Nuovo Mosaics of the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo Mosaics of the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo Walls of the Church of San Vitale Walls of the Church of San Vitale Walls of the Church of San Vitale Walls of the Church of San Vitale Mosaics of the Church of the Assumption in Nicaea Mosaics of the Church of the Assumption in Nicaea Mosaics of the Church of the Assumption in Nicaea Mosaics of the Church of the Assumption in Nicaea Nicaea Mosaics of the church of St. Demetrius in Thessaloniki Mosaics of the church of St. Demetrius in Thessaloniki Mosaics of the church of St. Demetrius in Thessaloniki Mosaics of the church of St. Demetrius in Thessaloniki Frescoes of the church in Castelseprio Frescoes of the church in Castelseprio Frescoes of the church in Castelseprio Frescoes of the church in Castelseprio Byzantine art in the 8th 12th century Icons Byzantine art in the 8th-12th centuries Icons Byzantine art in the 8th-12th centuries Icons Byzantine art in the 8th-12th centuries Icons Our Lady of Vladimir Our Lady of Vladimir Our Lady of Vladimir Our Lady of Vladimir Lamentation of Christ Lamentation of Christ Lamentation of Christ Lamentation of Christ


    Byzantine art in the 5th-7th centuries The surviving monuments give only a weak idea of ​​the painting of this period. The process of formation of a new medieval style did not proceed in exactly the same way in different artistic centers. Along with the triumph of Christianity as the state religion, there is a certain revival of the ancient tradition, especially in court art. The nature of secular painting is known mainly from written sources. During recent excavations of the “Great Palace” in Constantinople, floor mosaics of diverse content were discovered: hunting scenes, images of real and fantastic animals, children riding camels, musicians, fishermen, figures of shepherds and children playing. All these images are full of spontaneity and keen observation. All of them testify to the strength of ancient tradition in this monument, which most likely dates from the 5th century. The surviving monuments give only a weak idea of ​​the painting of this period. The process of formation of a new medieval style did not proceed in exactly the same way in different artistic centers. Along with the triumph of Christianity as the state religion, there is a certain revival of the ancient tradition, especially in court art. The nature of secular painting is known mainly from written sources. During recent excavations of the “Great Palace” in Constantinople, floor mosaics of diverse content were discovered: hunting scenes, images of real and fantastic animals, children riding camels, musicians, fishermen, figures of shepherds and children playing. All these images are full of spontaneity and keen observation. All of them testify to the strength of ancient tradition in this monument, which most likely dates from the 5th century.






    Mosaics of Ravenna The most complete idea of ​​the nature of early Byzantine paintings and their gradual evolution can be obtained from the monuments of Ravenna. The most common technique for interior decoration of buildings was mosaics, which decorated the vaults and upper parts of the walls, while the lower parts were usually covered with multi-colored stone slabs, sometimes with the use of inlay, or ornamental painting. The most complete idea of ​​the nature of early Byzantine paintings and their gradual evolution can be obtained from the monuments of Ravenna. The most common technique for interior decoration of buildings was mosaics, which decorated the vaults and upper parts of the walls, while the lower parts were usually covered with multi-colored stone slabs, sometimes with the use of inlay, or ornamental painting. Good Shepherd. Mosaic of the mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna. Mid-5th century. In the Ravenna mosaics of the 5th century, favorite subjects of catacomb paintings are found: such, for example, is Christ the Good Shepherd in the tomb of Galla Placidia, presented here, however, in rich purple and gold clothes against the backdrop of a developed landscape.


    Mosaics of the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo The decoration of the basilica, built into a single ensemble, is located in three tiers, architecturally connected to each other. In the lowest tier, a procession of martyrs and martyrs is depicted in a frequent and monotonous rhythm. The decoration of the basilica, built into a single ensemble, is located in three tiers, architecturally connected to each other. In the lowest tier, a procession of martyrs and martyrs is depicted in a frequent and monotonous rhythm. The procession heads from the western wall to the altar, where there are images of Christ and the Mother of God, seated on thrones on both sides of the basilica.








    The walls of the Church of San Vitale Such scenes indicate the desire of the church to assert its influence in modern reality. On the other hand, the emperors themselves used the authority of the church to strengthen their power. Interesting in this regard are two ceremonial compositions located in the main apse. One of them depicts Emperor Justinian and the other his wife Theodora, surrounded by their retinue. Scenes like these indicate the church's desire to assert its influence in modern reality. On the other hand, the emperors themselves used the authority of the church to strengthen their power. Interesting in this regard are two ceremonial compositions located in the main apse. One of them depicts Emperor Justinian and the other his wife Theodora, surrounded by their retinue. The walls of the Church of San Vitale are covered with well-preserved decorative and narrative mosaics, among which there are a number of biblical scenes. Of significant interest is the image of the young Christ sitting on a sphere, on the sides of which are placed not only angels, but also real historical figures: St. Vitaly accepting the crown from Christ, and Archbishop Ecclesius presenting a model of the temple. Young Christ on the sphere. 6th century


    Mosaic from the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna. 6th century Emperor Justinian with his retinue. Theodora with her retinue. The faces of the emperor and empress, as well as the leading dignitaries accompanying them, still retain the features of a portrait of Nastya, while the figures are all interpreted from the front and motionlessly lined up in one row in front of the viewer. There is no sense of body behind the folds of clothing, and the arrangement of the folds and the gestures of the figures are subordinated to the linear rhythms of an abstract drawing. The same features of frozen and abstract images, the characteristic asceticism of faces and the flat interpretation of motionless figures characterize many other Ravenna mosaics of the 6th century.


    Mosaic from the Church of Sant'Apollinare in Classe in Ravenna. 7th century In the mosaics of the church of Sant'Apollinare in Classe (St. Apollinaris in the Harbor), partially redone in the 7th century, the development of the abstract style continues. In the apse there is a symbolic composition “Transfiguration”, where the cross stands for Christ and the sheep for the apostles. Biblical scenes and monumental figures of archangels in court robes are distinguished by certain schematic features. Transfiguration.


    Mosaics of the Church of the Assumption in Nicaea The small domed Church of the Assumption in Nicaea, destroyed by a shell explosion during the war in 1922, contained mosaics depicting four angels. Researchers of mosaics date back to the 6th-7th centuries. These mosaics are made in the traditions of ancient painting. The figures of angels and their faces are depicted using smalt of various colors. Bright painterly “strokes” merge in the eyes of the viewer into expressive plastic images. The complete absence of linear contours, characteristic of many mosaics of the later period, a clearly identified sensual interpretation and great subtlety in conveying images of beautiful young faces characterize the Nicene mosaics. The small domed Church of the Assumption in Nicaea, destroyed by a shell during the war in 1922, contained mosaics depicting four angels. Researchers of mosaics date back to the 6th-7th centuries. These mosaics are made in the traditions of ancient painting. The figures of angels and their faces are depicted using smalt of various colors. Bright painterly “strokes” merge in the viewer’s eyes into expressive plastic images. The complete absence of linear contours, characteristic of many mosaics of the later period, a clearly identified sensual interpretation and great subtlety in conveying images of beautiful young faces characterize the Nicene mosaics. Fragment of the mosaic "Heavenly Powers" in the Church of the Assumption in Nicaea.


    Mosaics of the Church of St. Demetrius in Thessaloniki Another center that has preserved a number of early monuments is Thessaloniki. The decoration of the church dates back to the beginning of the 7th century. This temple was built in the form of a basilica. Its decoration with multi-colored marbles and mosaics represented a rich, specifically Byzantine polychrome whole. Particularly interesting were the scenes illustrating the life of Demetrius. The surviving portraits of the founders of the temple display a subtle sense of color and skillful rendering of individual features. All images are of high quality. Another center that has preserved a number of early monuments is Thessalonica. The decoration of the church dates back to the beginning of the 7th century. This temple was built in the form of a basilica. Its decoration with multi-colored marbles and mosaics represented a rich, specifically Byzantine polychrome whole. Particularly interesting were the scenes illustrating the life of Demetrius. The surviving portraits of the founders of the temple display a subtle sense of color and skillful rendering of individual features. All images are of high quality. Mosaic of the Basilica of St. Demetrius in Thessalonica. Mid 7th century


    Frescoes of the church in Castelseprio Antique traditions can also be traced in the frescoes of the church of Sita Maria Antiqua in Rome and, especially, in the recently cleared frescoes of the church in Castelseprio. A number of scenes from the childhood of Christ have been preserved here, including “The Nativity”, “Adoration of the Magi”, “Candlemas” and others. The free movement of figures, a broad pictorial brushwork, transparent color, and many individual motifs going back to ancient prototypes give Castelseprio’s paintings a special vitality associated with the still unextinguished traditions of antiquity. Antique traditions can also be traced in the frescoes of the church of Sita Maria Antiqua in Rome and, especially, in the recently cleared frescoes of the church in Castelseprio. A number of scenes from the childhood of Christ have been preserved here, including “The Nativity”, “Adoration of the Magi”, “Candlemas” and others. The free movement of figures, a broad pictorial brushwork, transparent color, and many individual motifs going back to ancient prototypes give Castelseprio’s paintings a special vitality associated with the still unextinguished traditions of antiquity. Nativity. Fresco of the church in Castelseprio. End of 7th century


    Byzantine art in the 8th-12th centuries Icons This period of Byzantine art began with icon veneration, and in a broad sense - the triumph of the anthropomorphic, classical foundations of the entire culture, and ended with a national tragedy - the defeat of Constantinople by the crusaders in 1204. This period of Byzantine art began with icon veneration, and in a broad sense sense - the triumph of the anthropomorphic, classical foundations of the entire culture, and ended in a national tragedy - the defeat of Constantinople by the crusaders in 1204. This is the period of the highest flowering of Byzantine art, the greatest refinement of its style, its highest spiritual richness, the full development of all the signs of "Byzatinism". This is also the time of its wide expansion to all countries of the Orthodox world and even to Western European states. This is the period of the highest flowering of Byzantine art, the greatest refinement of its style, its highest spiritual richness, and the complete development of all the signs of “Byzatinism.” This is also the time of its wide expansion to all countries of the Orthodox world and even to Western European states.


    The rare subtlety of execution, the richness of color (all shades of brown, gold and red) speak of the hand of an outstanding master of the Constantinople school. But what is most striking is the extraordinary expressiveness of the mournful face and the touching maternal tenderness with which Mary clung to the baby. The face of the Mother of God with a pure oval, thin nose and large almond-shaped eyes is imbued with genuine human suffering. It seems incomprehensible how the artist managed to achieve such an impression, without outwardly going beyond the canon of “Our Lady of Eleus”. The rare subtlety of execution, the richness of color (all shades of brown, gold and red) speak of the hand of an outstanding master of the Constantinople school. But what is most striking is the extraordinary expressiveness of the mournful face and the touching maternal tenderness with which Mary clung to the baby. The face of the Mother of God with a pure oval, thin nose and large almond-shaped eyes is imbued with genuine human suffering. It seems incomprehensible how the artist managed to achieve such an impression, without outwardly going beyond the canon of “Our Lady of Eleus”. Deep sorrow fills Mary’s bowed face, her dark eyes are sad, as in almost all examples of Byzantine art, from which the human smile has disappeared forever. Deep sorrow fills Mary’s bowed face, her dark eyes are sad, as in almost all examples of Byzantine art, from which the human smile has disappeared forever. Our Lady of Vladimir




    Lamentation of Christ To make the icon characters look disembodied, Byzantine masters made them flat. At the same time, icon painters had to abandon the multifaceted landscape or architectural background. Later, the background plane began to be covered with gold, which in Christian symbolism meant Divine light. The shimmering gilding created the impression of intangibility, the immersion of the figures in some mystical space. The golden glow spread over the entire picturesque surface excluded any other source of light; even if there was a sun or a candle on the icon, they did not affect the illumination of other objects, so Byzantine painters did not use light and shadow. A special technique arose of sequentially applying lightening layers of paint on top of each other, with the lightest being the most convex point of the surface, regardless of its location. The paints themselves also became different: encaustic was replaced by tempera. To make the icon characters look disembodied, Byzantine masters made them flat. At the same time, icon painters had to abandon the multifaceted landscape or architectural background. Later, the background plane began to be covered with gold, which in Christian symbolism meant Divine light. The shimmering gilding created the impression of intangibility, the immersion of the figures in some mystical space. The golden glow spread over the entire picturesque surface excluded any other source of light; even if there was a sun or a candle on the icon, they did not affect the lighting of other objects, so Byzantine painters did not use light and shadow. A special technique arose of sequentially applying lightening layers of paint on top of each other, with the lightest being the most convex point of the surface, regardless of its location. The paints themselves also became different: encaustic was replaced by tempera.